In his new book, William and Catherine, The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, the Mirror's royal editor, Russell Myers, dives into the behind-the-scenes stories that have shaped Prince William and Princess Kate's relationship. Along with sharing more lighthearted tidibits about baby names and how Queen Elizabeth advised Kate on "headstrong husbands," he reveals how the Wales family reacted when Princess Kate was diagnosed with cancer.
The Princess of Wales went public with her diagnosis in an emotional March 2024 video after cancer was discovered during a planned abdominal surgery. "Everyone knew it was a huge moment," Myers writes in his book. "The Princess delivered her message with such grace, perfection and empathy, it was incredibly emotional."
Even though Prince William was "floored" by his wife's diagnosis, it was even more difficult to tell Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis "that Mummy was ill and would have to go back to hospital."
"Everything they live for is for those children; they are their absolute world," Myers continues. "There were a lot of tears from everyone."
When it comes to breaking hard news to his kids, William said being honest is the most important factor. "We choose to communicate a lot more with our children," he told Brazilian journalist Luciano Huck during a trip to South America for the 2025 Earthshot Prize. "Sometimes, you feel like you're oversharing with your children and like you probably shouldn't, but most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn't work," the Prince of Wales admitted.
A friend of Prince William's told Myers that Kate's diagnosis "was like being hit by a bus" for the Prince of Wales. "One moment, life was normal, and the next, everything changed," the friend told Myers. "He worships her, truly. She's his world, and when the diagnosis came, it was as if the ground beneath him vanished."
William called 2024 "the hardest year I've ever had" when speaking with actor Eugene Levy on Apple TV+'s The Reluctant Traveler, and it's no wonder why. Along with worrying about his wife, the Prince of Wales also had to deal with his father, King Charles's, own cancer diagnosis, which was announced just a month before Kate's news.
Fortunately, the Princess of Wales announced she had completed chemotherapy treatments in September 2024, and by January 2025, she told the public that she was officially in remission.
"It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery," she wrote at the time. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. 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."
