Prince William is giving raw insight into how Kate Middleton’s 2024 cancer diagnosis affected him.
The Prince of Wales, 43, spoke out about his wife’s health battle with Eugene Levy for the actor’s Apple TV+ series, “The Reluctant Traveler.”
A clip from the upcoming episode, titled “Living the Royal Life in the UK,” shows the future king and the “Schitt’s Creek” star, 78, discussing how life can change in the blink of an eye.
“We’ve been very lucky; we hadn’t had many illnesses in the family for a very long time. My grandparents lived until they were in the high nineties,” Prince William explained, referencing the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
“They were the vision of fitness, and stoicism, and resilience, if you like. So we’ve been very lucky as a family,” the heir to the throne continued. “But I think, when you suddenly realize that the rug, if you were, 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,” William said. “But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places.”
Will Warr/KensingtonRoyal/X
Elsewhere in the episode, during Prince William and Levy’s walk around the grounds of Windsor Castle, the royal teased, “We provide this service for everyone. We do personalized tours everywhere.”
After the actor inquired what William does in his free time, he replied, “Sleep.”
William added, “When you have three small children, sleep is an important part of my life.”
While sitting down for a pint at a local pub, Levy and Prince William also touched on the last few years.
In addition to Middleton, 43, his father, King Charles, was also diagnosed with cancer.
“I’d say ‘23-’24 was the hardest year I’ve ever had,” the prince shared. “You know, life is sent to test us and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are.”
In March 2024, the Princess of Wales revealed she was being treated for cancer.
While undergoing chemotherapy, the philanthropist, who shares kids Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, with William, stayed under the radar.
In Sept. 2024, the princess announced she was cancer-free.
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Middleton penned at the time. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
In Jan. 2025, Princess Kate called remission “a relief.”
“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal,” she added. “I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”
King Charles, 76, meanwhile, was diagnosed with cancer in Feb. 2024 and has continued to undergo treatment.
In April, the monarch thanked “all those who support cancer patients and their loved ones” in a personal message.
He posted on the royal family’s website that being “among” the “statistics” of those diagnosed with cancer has “reinforced” his view that “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”
In Nov. 2024, while in South Africa, William made a rare comment to reporters following his annual Earthshot Prize Ceremony and revealed: “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 added.
“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.”
In July, Middleton opened up about life post-cancer.
While visiting Colchester Hospital in Essex, England, on July 2, she expressed what it’s been like to get back into her daily routine.
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” the princess stated.
“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” Middleton went on.
“And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”
