In a heartfelt and personal interview, Prince William has given us a rare look into the royal family’s personal challenges, describing King Charles’ battle with cancer as both “brutal” and “dreadful.” He shared the emotional toll it has taken, leading the family to some difficult places during this challenging time.

The royal family has often faced public scrutiny, but few situations have been as impactful as the two catastrophic cancer diagnoses they experienced just weeks apart.

The first alarming news arrived in February 2024, when Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had received a cancer diagnosis. This discovery followed treatment for an enlarged prostate, although palace officials clarified that it was not prostate cancer. However, the specific type of cancer remains undisclosed.

At 76 years of age, the king began treatment soon after the diagnosis, which stretched into 2025. This treatment included a hospital stay in March, a result of side effects from the therapy.

Despite keeping details of his condition private, King Charles has endeavored to maintain a public presence whenever possible, determined to fulfill his royal duties despite the ongoing health challenges.

Princess Kate’s Struggle with Cancer

The family faced another blow in March 2024. Princess Kate, Prince William’s wife, disclosed in an emotional video message she had also been diagnosed with cancer following significant abdominal surgery in January.

In a heartfelt Instagram message, the princess – now in remission since January 2025 – reflected on what has been an “incredibly tough” period for the family as they coped with two concurrent medical battles.

Reflecting on Their Toughest Year

In a conversation with Canada’s Eugene Levy during the filming of The Reluctant Traveler, Prince William shared how challenging it has been to support both his wife and father through their life-threatening illnesses, as reported by People.

“The year 2024 was undoubtedly the hardest I’ve ever faced,” the 43-year-old prince confided to Levy.

He continued, “Balancing the need to protect my children, Catherine, and my father, who also needs a level of protection, while managing my responsibilities was complicated. My family needed space to deal with everything that unfolded last year.”

Despite these hurdles, Prince William emphasized the importance of perseverance, “We all encounter challenges, and it’s crucial to keep moving forward.”

Facing Harsh Realities

The trials of 2024 brought an unexpected harshness, with Prince William revealing the emotional impact of witnessing both his father and wife’s battles against cancer as a swift and shocking development.

Reflecting on this, he said, “It’s like realizing the metaphorical rug can be pulled from under your feet at any moment. You might think, ‘It won’t happen to us,’ but when it does, it takes you to some rather tough places.”

Endurance in the Face of Turmoil

Despite the family’s turmoil, Prince William praised King Charles and Princess Catherine for their strength and courage throughout their cancer journeys. He acknowledged the difficult path they’ve endured but remained optimistic.

“Life tests us, and overcoming those tests shapes who we are,” he remarked.

Adding, “From a personal family perspective? It’s been brutal and dreadful.”

King Charles Balances Treatment and Duties

While Princess Catherine’s cancer is now in remission, King Charles continues his treatment, all while attending to some of his public duties.

The king recently appeared with Prince William at the Natural History Museum in London, an event that preluded the upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil. This occasion highlighted their ongoing dedication to environmental advocacy despite personal hardships.

In his forthright conversation, Prince William’s words convey resilience, a defining royal quality that has endured through generations.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on his candid interview with Eugene Levy on The Reluctant Traveler!