Traditionally, interviews with the Royal Family come around rarely and when they happen they are formal.
There is usually a room in a palace, set up with cameras and lights. The interviewer will likely be an experienced presenter or journalist. There would have been weeks of briefing notes and discussions about subject areas.
It is a tried and tested formula. But it is now clear this isn’t Prince William’s way.
Part of his openness here comes from the setting and the context. He is at home at Windsor, he’s on familiar territory, he’s walking his dog, he’s in the pub. William just seems more relaxed in that space, and talks more freely.
The choice of interviewer matters too. He told the actor that he was a fan of his and had loved watching the American Pie films – the coming of age movies starring Levy as a long-suffering father.
There have been some eyebrows raised about revealing so much to a Hollywood actor rather than a more forensic interviewer.
There were no questions on his relationship with his brother, Harry, nothing on his view of Prince Andrew’s place in the royal family.
But even with those missing components, we still got something new and interesting.
William didn’t falter when asked about his children and about what kind of king he wants to be. He would have probably been more restrained and uptight if it hadn’t been Levy asking the questions.
