In the midst of preparations for his future role as monarch, Prince William has revealed a more relaxed personal pastime he shares with his wife, Princess Kate. According to royal author and commentator Robert Hardman, the couple particularly enjoys sitting down together to watch the popular BBC reality competition series, The Traitors.
A Royal Evening Ritual
In his new book, Hardman details that while King Charles often spends late nights writing letters, Prince William prefers a cosy evening with his wife in front of the television. One of William's team members reportedly told Hardman: "Prince William's idea of a fun evening is to 'sit down with the Princess in front of The Traitors'." This insight offers a glimpse into the domestic life of the future king, contrasting his leisure preferences with those of his father.
Previous Royal Endorsements
This is not the first instance where The Traitors has been associated with the heir to the throne. Last year, during a ceremony at Windsor Castle where Prince William presented television executive Stephen Lambert with an OBE, William expressed his enthusiasm for the show. Lambert, the founder and CEO of Studio Lambert, the production company behind The Traitors, recalled the conversation.
"He said he and the family were very much looking forward to watching it," Lambert explained. "It was going to be a big treat for them and probably for the nation, he expected." William specifically mentioned the celebrity version of the programme, Celebrity Traitors, indicating a shared interest with Princess Kate in the series' various formats.
Generational Shifts in Royal Media Strategy
The revelation about William and Kate's viewing habits coincides with notable changes in how the Royal Family approaches media and public relations. Both King Charles and Prince William have recently restructured their communications teams, but with distinct strategies that highlight a generational divide.
King Charles has opted to hire a former royal correspondent from Sky News, focusing on journalistic expertise. In contrast, Prince William has brought in a senior director from the global PR firm Edelman, emphasising crisis management and strategic planning.
Expert Analysis on Royal PR Approaches
PR expert and former journalist David Yelland discussed this divergence on his podcast, When It Hits The Fan. He noted: "Kensington Palace is bringing in PR professionals - people who have handled crises - whereas Buckingham Palace is bringing in journalists. That's the cultural thing, the fundamental difference we're talking about here."
Yelland elaborated that William's team is proactively developing a long-term PR strategy in anticipation of his eventual ascension to the throne. "At Kensington Palace, they have a PR plan, they have a strategy because, of course, at some point, William will become King. So, they need to start filling in that sort of PR plan over the next few years," he explained.
The Traitors: A National Phenomenon
The Traitors has become one of the BBC's most successful programmes, blending psychological gameplay with celebrity editions that have captured widespread public interest. Its appeal to figures like Prince William and Princess Kate underscores its cultural impact, bridging royal and popular entertainment spheres.
Stephen Lambert highlighted the show's unique appeal during his conversation with William, noting that celebrities participate with genuine seriousness and talent, making it "extremely entertaining television." This endorsement from the future king adds a royal seal of approval to the series, potentially boosting its profile further.
As speculation continues about the monarchy's evolution under Prince William, these personal insights into his leisure activities with Princess Kate provide a humanising counterpoint to the formal duties and strategic preparations that define his public role. The couple's shared enjoyment of The Traitors reflects a modern, relatable aspect of royal life, set against a backdrop of careful media planning for the future.
