It is a decision that every parent now faces: Whether or not to let your child have a mobile phone. And now Prince William has shared his view on the matter when it comes to George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7.
“So, we sit and chat, it’s really important,” Prince William told Eugene Levy about dinner time in the Wales family home during one of their discussions for the actor’s program The Reluctant Traveler. “None of our children have any phones, which we’re very strict about.”
“That is really interesting,” Eugene responded. “So, if your kids don’t have phones to play with. What do they play with? What do they love doing?”
“So, Louis loves the trampoline,” William shared. “He’s obsessed with trampolining and actually Charlotte does a lot as well. As far as I can tell they just end up jumping up and down on the trampoline, beating each other up, most of the time. Apparently, there is an art to it. Charlotte does her netball as well and her ballet and so keeping them busy with sports and being outdoors is really important. They’re trying to learn musical instruments. I’m not sure how successful we’re being with that. George loves his football and his hockey.”
Prince Louis and Prince George at Trooping the Colour 2025.
At the age of 12, Prince George is in the minority amongst UK children in not having a phone. The UK Government cited statistics last year that 97% of children have their own phone by this age. However, there are growing concerns about phones in schools and the amount of screen time children have. As well as the considerations other parents face, William and Kate are also mindful of their privacy and security due to their positions, which is likely to have also played into their decision.
Prince William was extraordinarily open during a series of discussions with Eugene, filmed in February this year as he showed the Canadian actor around the Windsor Castle estate. While some of their chats were serious, focussed on Kate’s illness and William’s vision for the future of the monarchy, the Prince also gave some light-hearted glimpses into his childhood experiences at Windsor Castle and how his own children use it today.
“My cousins and I, and the family would chase each other up and down here and do silly games,” William said of St George’s Hall where State Banquets are held, and which he described as one of his favorite parts of the Castle. “And I remember these carpets weren’t here, and there were a couple of spots where you used to have to watch out because you’d get massive splinters because the old floor was so, old wood and old oak floor…It was a really dark wooden oak floor. So, when you went running off, you’d end up coming away and you’d have an enormous splinter.”
Of the large red carpet now in place, William said, “So now, it’s a lot easier. My children don’t realise how lucky they are, they’ve got a big old carpet they can run down and there’s no splinters…We come in after hours and chase each other around sometimes.”
However, it seems the Wales children also take learning seriously. “Actually, George my son is way better in history than I am and I have to check with him now on my dates,” William told Eugene.
“The Reluctant Traveller With Eugene Levy” episode four, featuring Prince William, premieres Friday October, 3 on Apple TV+. Watch now
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.
