Prince William is said to have developed an interest in the BBC mini-series Wolf Hall, thanks to the encouragement of his wife, Kate Middleton.
Last month, William attended the funeral of Pope Francis, representing his father, King Charles. He joined numerous other royals and dignitaries, including 12 reigning monarchs and heads of state like US President Donald Trump, at St Peter's Square in the Vatican.
Before the funeral mass, William paid his respects, bowing his head at the Pontiff's sealed wooden coffin, alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and shortly after President Trump and his wife Melania arrived.
With his hands clasped, William solemnly bowed his head, standing in reflection ahead of the service.
According to Ephraim Hardcastle in the Daily Mail, William's understanding of the Reformation's turmoil stems from Kate "making him watch Wolf Hall".
The show, adapted from Hilary Mantel's trilogy, explores the efforts to secure Henry VIII's succession, primarily through the perspective of Thomas Cromwell, the king's chief minister, reports Edinburgh Live.
As the Reformation gains momentum across Europe, the series delves into the experiences of characters on both sides of the growing divide within the Church.
Dame Hilary has previously shared her thoughts on the future of the monarchy, suggesting in 2021 that Prince William could potentially be the last King of England.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the author stated that "it's the end of the game" and that faith in the monarchy has gradually diminished over time.
She said: "I think it's the end game. I don't know how much longer the institution will go on. I'm not sure if it will outlast William. So I think it will be their last big era."
Speaking one year before Queen Elizabeth's death, the author added: "I wish the Queen had felt able to abdicate, because Charles has had to wait such a long time. I understand that she thinks of this as a sacred task, from which you simply cannot abdicate, whereas the rest of us think of it as a job, from which you should be able to retire.
"I wonder if she’s the only person who really believes in the monarchy now, and I’m sure she believes with all her heart. She believes that she cannot cease to be a monarch – she made those promises to God.
"It’s such a cliché to say, but what a lonely position to be in. It’s a conflict, because most of the world sees the Royal family as a branch of show business. And I’m sure that is very far from the Queen’s own thinking."
