Prince William’s Favorite ‘Free Time’ Activity Is So Dad-Coded

There’s no doubt about it: Prince William is a busy man. When he’s not busy preparing for his future (he’s next in line to the British throne, after all!), he’s going to royal events, hosting political dignitaries, running foundations, and raising three kids with wife Kate Middleton. Like any busy, working parent, we have to wonder — what does the prince do for fun? After all, even when he attends sporting games and holiday parties, he is still photographed and in the spotlight. He recently shared his favorite “free time” activity, and parents won’t be surprised one bit.  

In the past, Prince William may have said playing soccer or another sport, as his family is all very active. But now that he’s a dad? Prince William is all about getting some extra shut-eye!

The Prince of Wales appeared in a special episode of Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ series, The Reluctant Traveler, where he showed the Schitt’s Creek star around Windsor Castle. In a clip from the episode (which drops Oct. 3), the duo walked around the grounds with family dog Orla. At one point, Levy asked William what he likes to do in his “free time,” per PEOPLE.

BARRY, WALES – AUGUST 05: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge throw balls to knock down figures on an arcade game at Island Leisure Amusement Arcade, where Gavin and Stacey was filmed, during their visit to Barry Island, South Wales, to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector on August 5, 2020 in Barry, Wales. (Photo by Ben Birchall – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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“Sleep,” William responded. “When you have three small children, sleep is an important part of my life,” he quipped.

Is that not the most dad-coded answer you’ve ever heard? I too sleep whenever I get a chance, which is definitely much less often now that I’m a parent. I wonder if he gets up in the night to help Middleton with the kids since they don’t have a nanny? Or if he gets worn out wrestling with his kids. Or, maybe, he’s just like my dad and falls asleep with the remote, only to wake up the second someone tries to channel and claim, “I was watching that!” Either way, thinking about sleep is all he can do right now when he gets a second to breathe, and that deeply resonates for me.

Prince William shares kids Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, with Middleton. On top of everything else he manages, he was also helping his wife and his dad, King Charles, navigate their cancer diagnoses. “I’d say ‘23-’24 was the hardest year I’ve ever had,” the senior royal said. “You know, life is sent to test us and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are.”

A source previously told the Daily Mail that William and Kate were doing their best to keep their kids’ lives normal as possible. “I think it would surprise people to see how ordinary things are at home,” an insider told the outlet. “The children help with laying the table, clearing their plates when they’ve finished eating and helping with tidying up. There’s no preferential treatment.”

They added that Kate has “been determined to make sure her children’s home life is not disrupted,” and that their routine remains as “normal as possible.” Part of keeping things normal is not off-loading all the parenting duties to a nanny, so it makes sense why Prince William is so tired all the time. At least he has a good sense of humor about it!

Before you go, check out Prince Harry’s very best dad moments — so far!