Why Prince William wasn’t ‘very close’ to ‘formal’ Queen Elizabeth for decades

Prince William wasn’t “very close” with Queen Elizabeth for decades — but their relationship evolved from “formal” to “warm.”

The Prince of Wales explained to Eugene Levy during his recent “Reluctant Traveler” interview that he had a “good relationship” overall with Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip.

“My grandparents were of a different generation,” the future king, 43, said during the Oct. 3 episode of the AppleTV+ show.

“I think when we were younger, it was harder to have that very close relationship because it was quite formal,” William continued.

“But as they got older and I got older, it got warmer and warmer.”

He confirmed that their dynamic was at its “best” when Elizabeth and Philip were in their 80s once the duo had “sort of relaxed a little bit.”

Philip died in April 2021, two months shy of his 100th birthday.

At the time, William honored the 99-year-old with a touching tribute, calling Philip an “extraordinary man.”

He wrote, “I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life — both through good times and the hardest days.”

Elizabeth, for her part, passed away the following September at age 96.

King Charles III took over the throne — and William spoke on “Reluctant Traveler” about assuming the role himself one day.

The prince claimed he doesn’t feel “too overwhelmed” by the thought of being monarch despite wondering in his younger years, “Wow, are we actually doing this? Is this sort of happening?”

William noted, “With time and age, I think you feel a bit more settled in that side of things. You go, ‘Actually, I can do that.’ And even if a few curve balls come in, that doesn’t necessarily overwhelm me.”

Elsewhere in the interview, William spoke about wife Kate Middleton — and how he hopes to avoid the marriage “mistakes” Charles and late Princess Diana made during their time together.

William and Middleton, 43, tied the knot in April 2011 and have since started a family, welcoming Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.