Prince William reveals struggle with Catherine’s cancer as King Charles also fights the disease

Prince William has given a candid interview where he opened up about the trials faced by his family, describing the last year as “brutal”.

On Wednesday night, the Prince of Wales looked like a man who had it all.

Standing on the stage at the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, Prince William said hello in nine different African languages after supermodels and internationally renowned actors had announced the winners.

The audience had been given bracelets which lit up in time to the music and were waving them in the air. Millions were watching live across Africa.

William described the Cape Town event as “emotional”, but clearly it’s nothing compared with the emotions of the past 12 months.

President and Founder of the Earthshot Prize, Prince William, attends the 2024 Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa. Picture: Getty

With the cancer diagnoses of his wife and father, William said it “has probably been the hardest year in my life”. That is saying something for a man who lost his mother at 15.

He described the past 12 months as a “dreadful”, “brutal” time. His own annus horribilis.

In January, the Princess of Wales had major abdominal surgery, and later revealed she was undergoing preventive chemotherapy to treat cancer. In February, the King was also diagnosed with cancer and began treatment.

Prince William and Catherine have faced new challenges with her cancer diagnoses. Picture: Will Warr/Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

While the princess has spoken about her own journey back to health, William gave the first indication of his own experience as he marked the end of a four-day visit to Cape Town.

Speaking in the city’s Portside Tower, William sighed and said: “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done.”

Prince William with Catherine earlier this year. Picture: Will Warr/Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

William said that he was finding ways to balance his work with looking after his wife and children.

While some said he was “relaxed” as he hosted the Earthshot ceremony, he implied that looks could be deceiving.

“It’s interesting you say that, because I couldn’t be less relaxed this year, so it’s very interesting you’re all seeing that. But it’s more a case of just crack on and you’ve got to keep going. I enjoy my work and I enjoy pacing myself and keeping sure that I have got time for my family too.”

Prince William during a visit to meet seaweed businesses from the region to celebrate local innovation and to learn about the potential for it to repair and regenerate the planet at Portside Tower in Cape Town, South Africa. Picture: Getty

Prince William visits Kalk Bay Harbour, to speak to local fishermen and highlight the contributions of 2023 Earthshot Prize finalists, in South Africa. Picture: Getty

The past two years have seen a major shift for William in other ways. Since becoming the heir apparent after the death of Queen Elizabeth, he has adopted a statesman-like role.

In 1947 his grandmother gave an address from Cape Town in which she pledged to serve for her whole life. Nearly 80 years later, William undertook a week of engagements to celebrate his Earthshot prize, the scheme he started four years ago to promote new environmental innovations.

Prince William, Prince of Wales is greeted by well-wishers during a visit to Kalk Bay Harbour. Picture: Getty

He is also fulfilling a more diplomatic role. On Tuesday he met President Ramaphosa alongside David Lammy, the foreign secretary.

So, does William relish the double-edged sword of responsibility and freedom that come with his new role?

“It’s a tricky one. Do I like more responsibility? No. Do I like the freedom that I can build something like Earthshot? Then, yes. And that’s the future for me. It’s very important with my role and my platform, that I’m doing something for good. That I’m helping people’s lives and I’m doing something that is genuinely meaningful.

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales arrive for a visit to Southport Community Centre on October 10, in Southport, England. Picture: Getty

“So, the Earthshot [Prize] is a culmination, if you like, of all that put together. But it takes a lot of work [...] to make the Earthshot get to being the best possible entity it can be.”

He admits he is frustrated sometimes by the slow uptake of new green technologies by businesses and governments. “I get a bit frustrated that it takes a long time to convince people that this is worthy of their attention.”

After all, he does not know how long he will work on these projects as Prince of Wales or when he will become King. Perhaps this hurry partly drives him.

He said he “was really thrilled with the actual award ceremony” and hoped his children were watching, but may have to wait to discover their thoughts.

No doubt that is wise, given his comments about his children’s opinions.

In a final question about his new “look” - a beard - William laughed.

Even that, it seems, has been somewhat traumatic. “Well, Charlotte didn’t like it the first time. I got floods of tears the first time I grew one, so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back. I thought, hang on a second - and I convinced her it was going to be OK.”

After the year William and his family have had, many will hope that it will.

The article was originally published by The Times.