But the Prince acknowledged how quickly life can change: “When you suddenly realise that the rug, the metaphorical rug, can be pulled from under your feet quite quick at any point… You maybe think to yourself, ‘It won’t happen to us, we’ll be okay.’ Because I think everyone has a positive outlook, you’ve got to be positive. But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places.”

King Charles and Princess Kate’s Health Battles

Both Charles and Kate underwent medical procedures in January 2024. The King received treatment for an enlarged prostate, while Kate underwent what the Palace described as “planned abdominal surgery.”

In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer following further tests after his procedure. A statement confirmed: “His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.”

A month later, Kate revealed her own cancer diagnosis in a moving video message. “Tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she explained.

“This of course came as a huge shock,” she added, noting that she and William worked hard to manage the news privately for the sake of their young children. “It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them. And to reassure them that I am going to be okay.”

By September 2024, Kate had completed chemotherapy, and in January 2025, she announced she was officially in remission. Since then, she has gradually returned to her royal duties, balancing work with her ongoing recovery.

William Describes the Year as ‘Brutal’

As the year drew to a close, William reflected publicly on the toll it had taken. During a solo visit to South Africa, he admitted: “It’s been dreadful. 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.”

He also paid tribute to both his wife and his father for their courage, adding: “I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal.”