LONDON — Prince William has labeled the last year as “brutal” due to the cancer diagnoses affecting both his wife, Kate, and his father, King Charles III. In his own words, he conveyed, “Honestly, it’s been dreadful,” during a press interaction as he wrapped up a four-day visit to South Africa.
As he reflected on this challenging time, the Prince of Wales suggested that 2024 may likely be the “hardest year in my life.” He noted the challenges of balancing personal adversity while maintaining responsibilities, stating, “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
However, Prince William expressed immense pride in both his wife and father for their strength and resilience throughout these trials. He acknowledged that while the circumstances have been particularly harsh from a family perspective, he admires how they are coping with their respective health battles. “But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal,” he remarked.
King Charles III received a cancer diagnosis in February, which required him to pause his public engagements for about two months to focus on his health. Shortly thereafter, Kate, the Princess of Wales, also shared her own cancer diagnosis and has been gradually resuming her public duties following a regimen of chemotherapy. In a video released in September, she spoke about the difficulties faced by the family during this period, calling the situation “incredibly tough for us as a family.” William’s recent statements marked a notable occasion for him to share his feelings more openly.
In a recent announcement from Buckingham Palace, both Kate and King Charles are scheduled to participate in the national Remembrance Day commemoration in central London on Sunday. This annual event honors the lives lost during the world wars and subsequent conflicts.
During his visit to South Africa, Prince William took the opportunity to reveal the winners of his annual Earthshot Prize, a competition aimed at motivating innovators to develop solutions for environmental challenges, including climate change. Additionally, he attended a gathering organized by his United for Wildlife charity, which convened law enforcement, conservation groups, and corporate representatives unified against the illicit wildlife trade. Engaging in this work has offered him a much-needed distraction amid a troubling year.
“It’s more a case of just crack on and you’ve got to keep going,” Prince William commented, reflecting on the necessity to push forward. He shared that he takes joy in his work and ensures he maintains a balance, allowing time for family amidst his commitments.