Brave Prince William opens up about moment the ‘rug was pulled from his feet’ upon learning his wife and father had cancer – and admits it took him to some ‘pretty not great places’

Prince William has spoken emotionally of the moment he had the ‘rug pulled from his feet’ by the cancer diagnoses of his wife and father.

The heir to the throne says the Royal Family has generally been ‘very lucky’ with their good health, which is why last year’s double health crisis came as such a shock.

And he admitted that the experience has taken him to some ‘pretty not great places’.

He was speaking to Canadian actor Eugene Levy for a new Apple TV+ programme, ‘The Reluctant Traveller’ in which he offers to give the American Pie and Schitt’s Creek star an exclusive personal tour of Windsor Castle as part of a ‘bucket list’ of experiences.

Filming took place in February this year, shortly after his wife, the Princess of Wales, was able to share the news that she was finally in remission from cancer after being diagnosed and undergoing preventative chemotherapy in 2024.

William tells him: ‘We’ve been very lucky, we hadn’t had many illnesses in the family for a very long time. 

‘My grandparents lived until they were in the high 90s. So, they were the vision of fitness, and stoicism, and resilience, if you like. So we’ve been very lucky as a family.

‘But I think, when you suddenly realise that the rug, if you were, the metaphorical rug can be pulled from under your feet quite quick at any point. 

Eugene Levy and Prince William appear together on Apple TV+ show The Reluctant Traveler

‘You maybe think to yourself: It won’t happen to us, we’ll be okay. Because I think everyone has a positive outlook, you’ve got to be positive. 

‘But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places.’

On a lighter note, footage has also been released ahead of the series’ full transmission on Friday of William surprising Levy by arriving for their meeting at the 1,000-year-old castle on an electric scooter.

‘I do know he’s not prompt….And don’t think I won’t be bringing that up. I’m very excited,’ the actor says nervously.

He then roars with laughter as William appears from the direction of the famous Long Walk and into the castle quadrangle.

‘Eugene, good morning,’ William says, ‘nice to see you.’

Pointing at the scooter, the star remarks: ‘This is not what I was expecting. This is your mode of transportation?’

‘It is round here,’ William confirms.

‘It gets around quite nicely around here, it’s quite fun.’

His remarks come in a wide-ranging – and at times incredibly candid and deeply personal – conversation between the future king and his guest.

They are shown sitting down for a pint in the corner of a pub – with Levy opting for a Guinness

William invited the star to Windsor Castle during the filming of the Apple TV+documentary

As the pair walk and talk, William speaks openly about his family and plans for the future.

Canadian Levy has described the experience as ‘one of the most thrilling days of my life’.

‘Prince William was an exceptionally gracious host and I was so impressed with how at ease he made me feel. A smart young man with a great sense of humour,’ he said.