Barack Obama picks Prince William as his favourite

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Prince Harry's interview with Barack Obama was played on Today programme
Mr Obama, 56, warned political leaders about the dangers of using social media
The 33-year-old asked the former President who he preferred, William and Harry
Mr Obama quickly replied: 'William, right now' while he was grilled by the prince

Published: 04:08 EST, 27 December 2017 | Updated: 13:12 EST, 27 December 2017

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Former US president Barack Obama has told of how the problems faced by the world are solvable 'if we see the joy that comes from service to others'.

He was being questioned by Prince Harry as part of the royal's guest editorship of BBC Radio 4's flagship Today programme.

Mr Obama was asked by Harry, 33, for 'a reason for people to feel optimistic for the year ahead'.

Prince Harry interviewed Barack Obama (pictured) and the clip was played on Radio 4's Today programme this morning

And he replied: 'I don't think in terms of one year, but I can tell people what I genuinely believe which is that if we take responsibility for being involved in our own fate, if we participate, if we engage, if we speak out, if we work in our communities, if we volunteer, if we see the joy that comes from service to others, then all the problems we face are solvable.'

During the interview, Mr Obama also said there was a danger of people becoming stuck in their biases due to social media use.

The ex-president said: 'The question, I think, really has to do with, how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn't lead to a Balkanisation of our society, but rather continues to promote ways of finding common ground?

'And, I'm not sure government can legislate that, but what I do believe is that all of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can recreate a common space on the internet.

'One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities. They can be just cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases.'

Mr Obama, 56, did not mention his successor in the White House by name, but many will see the comments as a thinly veiled rebuke aimed at Donald Trump.

President Trump has drawn widespread criticism for the way he uses Twitter to attack opponents, and condemn what he brands 'fake news'.

During the same interview, Mr Obama said he prefers Prince William over his brother while he was getting grilled by the prince.

Prince Harry's interview with Obama was played just after 8.30am.

Prince Harry smiles while guest editing the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme in London today

Prince Harry (pictured with Obama during the Invictus Games in September) asked him if he preferred the Good Wife or Suits

At the end of the 40-minute chat, the fifth in line to the throne fired questions at the 56-year-old and asked him who he preferred, 'William or Harry'.

He joked: 'William, right now.'

Harry also asked him which popular US television show he preferred out of legal drama Suits - the programme which his fiancee Meghan Markle made her name - or the Good Wife.

And to his delight he answered: 'Suits, obviously' with Harry replying: 'Great, great, great answer.'

In his guest editing slot, Harry also focused on climate change, the military and mental health.

During the 'lightning round' of questions, the former president declined to say whether he wears boxers or briefs.

The 33-year-old was guest editing the Radio 4 Today programme and was asked about how he celebrated Christmas with his family

But he was willing to say he prefers Aretha Franklin to Tina Turner - 'Aretha is the best,' he said of the Queen of Soul - and favours retired basketball star Michael Jordan over current star LeBron James.

He also said he prefers 'The Queen' to the band Queen to which Harry said: 'Another great answer.'

Mr Obama also told the prince he felt serene on the day he left the White House despite feeling important work remained unfinished.

He said it was 'hugely liberating' to be able to set his own agenda in the morning and to have the time to talk with his wife, Michelle, now that he is no longer president.

Both men said the interview, recorded in Canada in September, was Obama's first since leaving the presidency in January.

Mr Obama, speaking about his eight years in the Oval Office, said: 'I miss the work itself because it was fascinating.'

President Donald Trump (pictured) has drawn widespread criticism for the way he uses Twitter to attack opponents

He did not mention his successor, President Trump, but did say people in government should be careful in their use of social media.

Mr Obama also revealed he is 'obsessed' with helping to train the next generation of leaders and said the world is in many ways healthier and wealthier than it has ever been.

At the end of the show, Harry would not say whether Mr Obama will be invited to his May wedding to American actress Meghan Markle, saying the guest list hadn't been drawn up yet.

It comes after Mr Trump's Christmas tweet received a million fewer 'likes' than Mr Obama's.

President Trump tweeted a video wishing viewers a 'MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!' on Monday morning, but a photo that his predecessor tweeted a couple hours later was far more popular.

On Tuesday morning, Mr Trump's tweet had received more than 177,000 likes and more than 45,000 retweets.

Obama's message - a picture of him with his wife and two daughters, standing in front of five adorable children - with the caption, 'We wish you joy and peace this holiday season,' got more than 1.2 million likes and more than 229,000 retweets.

Obama's quickfire questions: Former president picks Meghan's show Suits - but says William is his favourite royal

At the end of Prince Harry's interview with Barack Obama, he shot a series of quickfire questions at the former US president. Here is the full exchange:

PH: White House Down or Olympus Has Fallen?

BO: Didn’t see either of them

PH: You have to make a choice.

BO: I didn’t see either, how can I make a choice?

PH: White House Down.

BO: Ok, I’ll take your word for it.

PH: What do you miss most, the cinema or the bowling alley?

BO: Cinema – we call it a movie theatre but that’s fine.

PH: Boxers or briefs.

BO: Sorry – we don’t answer those questions.

PH: Lebron James or Michael Jordan?

BO: Jordan – although I love Lebron - but I’m a Chicago guy.