Prince William calls 2024 'hardest year' after Kate Middleton and King Charles' cancer diagnoses
LONDON, UK: In an unusually personal interview on November 7 during his Cape Town visit, Prince William shared that 2024 has been the "hardest year" of his life.
Reflecting on the trials his family faced, he revealed the impact of both his father, King Charles, and his wife, Kate Middleton, each receiving cancer diagnoses, as reported by People.
Prince William speaks candidly on ‘dreadful’ 2024 after Kate Middleton and King Charles' health battles
“It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life,” said the 42-year-old Prince of Wales, who took on his current role after Queen Elizabeth died in 2022.
During a deeply personal interview on November 7, concluding his stay in Cape Town, South Africa, he shared reflections on his position as the Prince of Wales, a title he assumed two years prior following the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, on September 8, 2022.
“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,” he shared.
Kate Middleton, who recently completed chemotherapy, is reportedly “doing well.” Though he has maintained a public commitment to his duties, William admitted that he’s felt anything but relaxed this year. “I couldn’t be less relaxed this year,” he said, adding, “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 reflects on Earthshot Prize and family life
Prince William recently shared personal insights about his role as both a father and an environmental advocate following the Earthshot Prize Awards. Though unsure if his children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 watched the awards ceremony, which streamed live on YouTube, he expressed hope they did.
Speaking candidly, he recalled that his daughter Charlotte wasn’t a fan of his summer beard.
"Charlotte didn’t like it the first time,” William said with a laugh. "I got floods of tears, so I had to shave it off. Then I grew it back and convinced her it was okay."
The Earthshot Prize, entering its fifth year, has become a major platform for promoting environmental change. William spoke passionately about how crucial it is to scale these efforts.
“The key is translating our efforts into more impact, more progress,” he said.
With 15 finalists and five prize winners in 2024, William emphasized the importance of continuing to expand the initiative’s global influence.
In addition to celebrating the achievements of Earthshot Prize finalists, William called on businesses to embrace bold investments in environmental solutions. "Businesses have got to do that," he said, urging them to “hurry up and be courageous” in their investments, as time is limited to address environmental challenges effectively.
William acknowledged the restrictions but noted that creating Earthshot has given him a sense of purpose. “With my role and platform, I’m doing something meaningful,” he explained.
“Earthshot is the culmination of all that something truly for the greater good.”
