In a rare and personal interview, Prince William opened up about the impact of King Charles\u2019 cancer diagnosis, calling it \u201cbrutal\u201d and \u201cdreadful,\u201d and admitting it led him to \u201csome pretty not great places.\u201d<\/p>\n
The royal family faced a particularly difficult year in 2024, rocked by two cancer diagnoses just weeks apart. In February, Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles III had cancer, discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate. Though not prostate cancer, the type remains undisclosed. The 76-year-old monarch began treatment immediately and has continued balancing public duties with his health battle into 2025.<\/p>\n
Then, in March, Princess Kate announced her own cancer diagnosis following major abdominal surgery in January. She has been in remission since early 2025 but described the period as \u201cincredibly tough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to Eugene Levy on The Reluctant Traveler<\/em>, William reflected: \u201c2024 was the hardest year I\u2019ve ever had,\u201d trying to support both his wife and father while protecting his children and maintaining royal duties.<\/p>\n He described the emotional shock as feeling like \u201cthe rug\u201d had been pulled out, saying, \u201cYou think it won\u2019t happen to you\u2026 then it takes you to some pretty not great places.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the pain, William praised both his wife and father\u2019s strength, adding, \u201cIt\u2019s been dreadful\u2026 From a personal family point of view, it\u2019s been brutal.\u201d<\/p>\n While Kate is now in remission, Charles continues treatment but remains active in his royal role. The father and son made a joint appearance at London\u2019s Natural History Museum on Oct. 9, ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil.<\/p>\n