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Prince William calls 2024 ‘hardest year of my life’
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Prince William calls 2024 ‘hardest year of my life’

Prince William has his annus horribilis.

The heir to the British throne has admitted he has had a “brutal” year after both his wife Kate Middleton and his father King Charles III were diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s been awful,” William, 42, said while in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday, adding that it had been “the hardest year of my life”. according to People.

Prince William, pictured in Cape Town, South Africa on Thursday, admitted in a new interview that 2024 was “brutal”. Getty Images
The Prince of Wales, pictured here on Thursday, said it had been “the hardest year of my life”. Getty Images
Kate Middleton, pictured here in October, announced in March that she was battling cancer. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Prince of Wales said he was “so proud” of Middleton and his father for “dealing with the things they did, but from a personal family point of view, it was, yes, it was brutal”.

Reflecting on his increasing responsibilities as Prince of Wales, in his wake the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, he admitted: “So trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track was very difficult.”

Middleton, 42, went public with her cancer diagnosis in Marchwhile Charles’ cancer diagnosis was announced a month before.

Her news came a month after it was announced that King Charles III had also been diagnosed with cancer. UK Press via Getty Images
William said his responsibilities since becoming Prince of Wales in 2022, on top of family issues, had been “difficult”. WireImage

William said she was “doing well” after announcing on September 9 that she completed his chemotherapy treatment.

After being told he looked relaxed, William replied: “I couldn’t be less relaxed this year, so it’s really exciting that you all see that.”

The the father of three children then explained that focusing on work and his family motivates him every day.

“But it’s more a case of crack and I have to go on,” said William. “I like my work and I like to pace myself and make sure I have time for my family too.”

Middleton called her diagnosis a “huge shock” in March, but finished chemotherapy in September. BBC
Charles was diagnosed with cancer after undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate in February. Getty Images

Earlier this week, royal author Robert Jobson spoke to Hello! and shared that Middleton is back to her fitness routine following her cancer treatment.

“From what I understand, Catherine is doing very well,” he said Monday. “He’s back in the gym and doing all the things he wanted to do.”

While it wasn’t revealed what type of cancer Middleton was diagnosed with, she admitted it was a “huge shock” when she broke the news this spring.

Despite the difficult year, William said he was leaning on his family. Getty Images
“I like my work and I like to pace myself and make sure I have time for my family as well,” said the 42-year-old. Getty Images

Meanwhile, Charles was diagnosed with cancer after him he was operated on for an enlarged prostate in February.

Last month, it was revealed that the British monarch would stop cancer treatment due to his royal engagements in Australia, which were scheduled to last 11 days.

A source told the Daily Mail on October 6 that Charles’ doctors were “aware” and that his schedule ensured his health was “prioritised”.