Prince William is letting fans see a more personal side of him in a new episode of Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ travel series The Reluctant Traveler.
The Prince of Wales, 43, speaks candidly about his childhood, family life with Kate Middleton, and even opens up about his love for football – revealing an unexpected connection with Hollywood star Tom Hanks.
In what many are calling his most intimate television appearance yet, William joins Levy for a heartfelt and humorous conversation set against the backdrop of Windsor Castle. While some parts of the discussion touch on deeply personal moments – including his memories of the late Queen Elizabeth and the challenges his family has faced recently – there are also lighter moments that reveal his sense of humor and relatability.
During their chat, William reveals that he and Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks share something surprising in common – they’re both devoted Aston Villa fans. “I’m a football fan,” William tells Levy in a sneak peek clip. “I support Aston Villa, have you heard of them? Tom Hanks is a big fan.”
The Birmingham-based club has long held a special place in both men’s hearts. William went on to recall the amusing reason behind Hanks’ fandom, saying, “I love the story that Tom tells about why he suddenly supported Aston Villa – because when he was looking for a team to support, he saw the words ‘Aston Villa’ and thought that sounded quite like a sunshine-y, nice ‘villa’ place to go. When, actually, if he turns up to Birmingham, it’s not that sunshine-y.”
Tom Hanks previously shared the same story during his 2015 appearance on The Graham Norton Show, admitting, “Now I know [what it’s really like], and I’m still with them.”
William explained that his own decision to support the team came from a desire to go against the grain. Speaking to the BBC’s Gary Lineker back in 2015, he shared, “All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans, and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams. I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.”
He recalled that his connection to Aston Villa dates back to his school years when he attended his first major match – Bolton vs. Aston Villa – in 2000. “It was fantastic,” he remembered. “I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on and had a great time. It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie – I really felt there was something I could connect with.”
William’s passion for Aston Villa is something he’s proudly passed on to his eldest son, Prince George, 12. The father and son duo have been spotted at several matches together, including a memorable trip in April 2025 for the Champions League quarterfinal. The two attended the away game at Paris Saint-Germain before returning home for the second leg at Villa Park.
Though Aston Villa ultimately lost the quarterfinal with an aggregate score of 5–4, William said the experience was priceless. “It’s been 43 years since anything like this has happened in my generation as a Villa fan, and I wanted George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition,” he told TNT Sports. “Those memories are really important to create, and bringing him along was a big deal for me.”
Beyond football, William opened up to Levy about his connection to Windsor Castle and how it reminds him of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. “It’s been quite a bit of change, so you think about them not being here anymore, and particularly being in Windsor – for me, Windsor is her,” he shared. “She loved it here; she spent most of her time here. Showing you around today is very much a case of trying to make sure I’m doing it in the way she’d want you to see it.”
The prince also reflected on the challenges his family has faced in recent years, particularly following the cancer diagnoses of both his wife, Princess Kate, and his father, King Charles III. “I’d say 2023–2024 was the hardest year I’ve ever had,” William admitted. “Life is sent to test us, and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are.”
The Reluctant Traveler’s U.K. episode featuring Prince William will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 3, with new episodes dropping weekly. The appearance not only gives viewers a rare glimpse into the future king’s personal life but also shows his warmth, humor, and humanity – proving that even royals can bond over football and a shared love for Aston Villa.
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