Prince William Mentions Prince Harry Just Once in TV Appearance — What It Reveals About Their Rift (Exclusive)

Prince William opened up like never before in a rare TV appearance that included an unexpected reference to Prince Harry.

The Prince of Wales, 43, notably mentioned his brother, with whom he remains estranged, in a brief reference during his wide-ranging conversation with Eugene Levy, host of Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler. The Oct. 3 episode doubled as a reintroduction for the heir to throne after years of headlines surrounding family rifts and the fallout from the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s from the royal fold.

In a callback to the media frenzy that surrounded their childhood, Prince William told Levy, “I hope we don’t go back to some of the practices in the past that Harry and I had to grow up in. And I’ll do everything I can to make sure we don’t regress in that situation.”

That he never again references his brother — or sister-in-law — speaks volumes. 

“They are clearly part of the past,” historian Robert Lacey, author of Battle of Brothers, tells PEOPLE in this week’s exclusive cover story. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s seismic step back from their royal roles in 2020 brought a familial rift to light for the first time and the broken bond between the brothers shows no signs of healing. 

However, Levy says no subjects were off-limits when he met William in Windsor — not even Harry and Meghan. 

“I was not told I couldn’t ask anything,” he told reporters. “But I had no interest in asking… It’s a very delicate issue.”

However, royal biographer Andrew Morton, author of Winston and the Windsors, says: “If you want the prince to talk openly, you avoid asking about his brother.”

Still, William’s willingness to reflect so personally marks a striking break from the royal family’s old way of operating — by “ostriching,” as royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith put its, “avoiding discussions of emotional problems in hopes that they would go away.”

This delicate balance between tradition and progress is where William’s vision for the monarchy as future King comes into sharp focus. 

“I enjoy change; I don’t fear it,” he said. “That’s the bit that excites me — the idea of being able to bring some change… I want to question things more. Are we still doing and having the most impact we could be having? If you’re not careful, history can be a real weight and an anchor around you, and you can feel suffocated by it. I think it’s important to live for the here and now.”

For royal watchers, the striking admission is “fascinating,” says Morton.

“The two words ‘change’ and ‘monarchy’ don’t naturally go together. Monarchy is about continuity. To predicate your future life on the change you’re going to make to it… well, that’s a delicate mechanism,” he explains.

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For William, though, change doesn’t mean upheaval but rather modernization — a monarchy more emotionally attuned and grounded in everyday life.

“Prince William’s been quite vocal about what he wants to do when the time comes,” a source with ties to the palace tells PEOPLE. “[To be] more accessible, more approachable.”

In the cozy warmth of a Windsor pub on a drizzly February day, over the clink of glasses and the low hum of conversation, Prince William leaned back and told Levy, “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good.”