‘It’s all about Kate’: Prince William takes a step back from royal duties to focus on his family

Prince William raised eyebrows when he was a no-show at his godfather’s memorial service, but insiders say it’s because he was in “absolute shock” over the news of his wife’s health.

He is the husband, son and father who is holding it all together – or trying to – in the face of a double cancer diagnosis in the family.

In public, it’s been business as usual for Prince William, 41, who has been busy attending royal engagements highlighting causes close to his heart, including homelessness and the air ambulance service, where he formerly worked as a helicopter pilot.

Ten days ago he was at a charity event to mark the Diana Award, in memory of his mother Princess Diana, who died tragically in a car crash in 1997, and there was no hint of the private turmoil he was going through.

He also raised eyebrows when he was a no-show at the memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece, where he was due to deliver a eulogy.

However, the real reason the Prince of Wales pulled out at the last minute has been revealed, as he was “devastated” about his wife’s cancer diagnosis, it can be revealed.

Prince William cancelled an appearance at his godfather’s memorial service after Princess Catherines’ shock cancer diagnosis. Picture: Getty Images

“William wanted to be with his wife who has openly said she was shocked to be told the news of her cancer diagnosis after the palace initially revealed her condition was non-cancerous,” said royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.

“The truth of the matter is the Princess had been given the news that Tuesday morning and was very upset, she was devastated.

“William wanted to be with her and his young family and cancelled the thanksgiving service as any loving husband and father would.

“It was an absolute shock for all of them.”

Catherine, 42, underwent abdominal surgery in January, and has spent the following months coming to terms with the shock diagnosis, which was revealed in post-operative tests.

As well as being by Catherine’s side, William has also had been supporting their three young children George, Charlotte and Louis in helping them understand what is happening to ‘Mummy’, without frightening them.

All this, coming just weeks after his father also found out he had cancer in February and is also undergoing treatment.

Prince William has been a source of comfort to his wife. Picture: Getty Images

Most likely, William who is very close to Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton, will find solace in each other as they deal with the repercussions of Kate’s illness.

And, he may well have bonded further with his stepmother Queen Camilla over their shared experience of living with a partner with cancer.

They certainly appeared more united than ever when they walked down the aisle of Westminster Abbey together earlier this month, to mark Commonwealth Day.

While Prince Harry and wife Meghan, who are living in California, have also passed on their well wishes to their sister-in-law saying they hoped Catherine and her family could heal “privately and in peace”, it is unlikely William will turn to them for help, after their very public falling out.

Family comes first for the future king, who has lessened his royal workload. Picture: Getty Images

Outside of the family he has a few old school friends he may be able to confide in, but they can’t help him with his additional workload.

Camilla, at the age of 76, has stepped up her royal engagements, as have the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

While the Palace may want him to pick up the slack, William has made it clear his family comes first.

“His focus is his family,” a royal aide said this week.

“He’s gone through a tumultuous time recently but for now it’s all about Kate.

“He will take on less duties in the coming weeks and step in for his father when he can,” the aide said.

The royal couple will soon celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

The Prince and Princess, who will celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary next month, seem stronger than ever despite the hurtful online speculation about their marriage which reached fever pitch in recent weeks.

The Princess spoke in the personal video she released Saturday morning, about how William had been by her side through all of this and had been a “great source of comfort”.

She spoke about how the pair have been trying to “process this privately” for the sake of their young family, and appealed for “time, space and privacy” to recover.

It is understood Prince William was “not keen” on his wife’s video announcement with insiders revealing “he is very protective of Kate” but agreed to it to silence the conspiracy theorists who has set the internet alight with fevered speculation about her health and whereabouts in her absence from frontline duties.

“It’s not something he was originally forthcoming about,” an aide said.

The Sun royal photographer Arthur Edwards said the profound love for the couple he has witnessed over years would get them through her cancer treatment.

Prince William and Princess Catherine. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“At their engagement, I remember asking William ‘why did you break up with Catherine?’ He told me: ‘Because I had to be certain. I want this marriage to last forever’” Mr Edwards said.

“Working with the pair of them on royal engagements I can see their absolute love is real.

“The way they always have time to turn and smile at each other and have little secret conversations, reminds me of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh whose marriage lasted for seven decades.

“That genuine love between William and Kate is what will get them through her cancer ordeal,” he said.

They will now bunker down as a family during the Easter holidays, but royal aides have said William will return to work when the children go back to school, after all with the King and the Princess out of action, there’s a huge hole in the team.

Originally published as ‘It’s all about Kate’: Prince William takes a step back from royal duties to focus on his family