King Charles Wasn't Too Happy With Prince William After Kate’s Cancer Diagnosis: Royal Author
Last year was challenging for both King Charles and Kate Middleton, as they were diagnosed with cancer just a month apart. The monarch revealed his diagnosis on February 5, while the Princess of Wales announced hers on March 22. Throughout it all, Prince William shouldered much of the royal workload while caring for his wife and father. According to royal author Robert Jobson, when William requested Charles to slow down after Middleton's diagnosis, the King gave a sharp-tongued reply, making it clear he had no plans to stop hustling.
Jobson claimed that behind the scenes, the Prince of Wales was 'totally crestfallen' after learning of his wife's diagnosis. In his new book, The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty, he wrote that William urged Charles to adhere to his doctor's advice and cut down on his work engagements. The Prince even proposed to decrease his own engagements to ten a year, to focus on caring for Middleton and their three children. Unfortunately for William, the King wasn't having any of it, reportedly replying, "Think again," to his request. Despite this temporary blip, Jobson stressed that the cancer diagnosis significantly brought the father and son closer.
In the aftermath of their cancer diagnosis, Charles displayed unwavering support for his daughter-in-law, appreciating her courage and resilience. Jobson penned, "Like William, he [Charles] became a 'beacon of strength' to the Princess. The two had a private one-to-one lunch at Windsor Castle the day before Catherine's pre-recorded video was aired." He continued, "At this meeting, they were able to provide mutual support. After the video was broadcast, Charles released a Palace statement expressing his pride in Catherine for her bravery in speaking out as she did." In January 2025, the Princess of Wales announced that she was in remission for the disease, marking her moving return from the hospital where she was cared for.
A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2024
As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.
The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an… pic.twitter.com/9S1W8sDHUL
William has also spoken about the toll of caring for Charles and Middleton during that difficult period on an episode of The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy. When the Schitt's Creek actor asked him, "This last year, your wife and father have been ill. How are things now, first of all?" the Prince answered optimistically, "Yes, things are good. Everything is progressing in the right way, which is all good news." Reflecting on the same, he added, "I'd say 2024 was the hardest year that I've ever had," acknowledging that the constant media attention only added to the strain.
The said scrutiny, as he put it, was part of the job, but the Prince of Wales made clear his determination to draw a protective circle around his family. He further stressed, "Trying to sort of balance protecting the children, Catherine, my father needs a bit of protection, but he's, you know, he's old enough to do that himself as well. But it's important my family feels protected and has the space to process a lot of the stuff that’s gone on last year, and that was tricky trying to do that and keep doing the job."