In a rare and candid conversation, Prince William opened up about the challenges of the past year, describing it as one of the most difficult periods of his life. Speaking with actor Eugene Levy for the new season of The Reluctant Traveler, he reflected on the impact of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis and Princess Catherine’s health battle on both his personal life and the royal family as a whole.
King Charles’ Diagnosis
On February 5, 2024, Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer following a medical procedure to treat an enlarged prostate, during which unrelated cancer was discovered. While the palace did not disclose the exact type of cancer, they confirmed that the monarch, then 76, began treatment immediately. He spent several days in hospital in March 2024 due to side effects from therapy but continued to fulfill official duties as his health allowed, maintaining a visible public presence despite his treatment.
The diagnosis came during a period of transition and modernization for the monarchy. The announcement drew widespread support both in the UK and internationally, highlighting the public’s concern for the King’s health.
Princess Catherine’s Diagnosis
Just weeks after King Charles’ news, Princess Catherine shared her own health revelation. In March 2024, she revealed in a video message on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with cancer following major abdominal surgery in January. Catherine described the diagnosis as a “huge shock” and explained that she had started preventative chemotherapy.
By January 2025, she announced she was in remission, expressing gratitude for the support she had received and describing the prior months as incredibly tough for the entire family.
William Reflects on a Challenging Year
During his interview, Prince William described balancing his roles as husband, father, and heir to the throne while supporting both his wife and father through their health challenges. “I’d say 2024 was the hardest year that I’ve ever had,” he said, reflecting on the responsibility of protecting his children and ensuring both Catherine and his father had the space and privacy to process their diagnoses.
