Prince William says cancer diagnoses have resulted in ‘probably the hardest year of my life’
The Prince of Wales has described the past year which has seen his wife and father being treated for cancer as brutal and “probably the hardest year of my life.’
Speaking to media in South Africa, Prince William spoke candidly about the royal family’s major health scares as a “dreadful” experience.
King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales (Photo: Yui Mok and Adrian Dennis/AFP)
The King’s cancer diagnosis was announced in February, and he has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of the disease as an outpatient. It was announced the King will be returning to fuller duties and greater overseas travel in 2025.
The Princess of Wales appeared with her family in September to confirm her return to public duties following the completion of a course of chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.
“Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult,” says Prince William.
“But 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, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
The prince’s comments were made in an interview with British media covering his four-day visit to South Africa, which ended on Thursday, to stage his Earthshot Prize in Cape Town.
The event saw five category winners awarded £1 million each to develop their ideas to “repair” the planet.
It appears his work recognising environmental entrepreneurs with the Earthshot Prize or trying to find solutions to end homelessness have provide an antidote to his tough year.
“It’s more a case of just crack on and you’ve got to keep going,” he said.
“I enjoy my work, and I enjoy pacing myself and keeping sure that I have got time for my family too.”