Kate Middleton, Prince William put family first during cancer treatment: author

to Kate Middleton and Prince William, royal duties are taking a back seat to raising their children, as evidenced by how William stepped back from his duties during the princess’s cancer treatment, according to a royal author.

“Behind the scenes, it was brutal for William,” said Russell Myers, royal editor of The Mirror and author of William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story. Manchester Evening News.

Myers said William felt like “The rug has been pulled out “From Underneath” after Middleton and his father, King Charles III, were diagnosed with cancer in early 2024.

“He had to deal with all these emotions, you know, what was he going to do to take care of his wife first and foremost?” Myers said. “How would he be there for his father? But what duties would he have to perform? Would his public role change as well?”

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For Kate Middleton and Prince William, royal duties are taking a back seat to raising their children, as evidenced by how William stepped back from his royal duties during the princess’s cancer treatment last year, according to a royal author. (Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty Images)

However, “above all this was his deep concern for his three children,” Myers said.

“And I think seeing him step away from public duties tells you a lot about him William and Catherine As people, because family has always been first for them,” he said, adding that “duty is important to them, but it must come second in relation to their families, because if they get the family right, everything will follow.”

In an excerpt from his book released in March, Myers wrote that the Prince and Princess of Wales sat their children down to explain what was happening.

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An excerpt from the book reads: “When Catherine went in, he was fairly assertive,” a close aide said, referring to her two-week hospitalization in January 2024 for what the palace described as “planned abdominal surgery.” “They both very calmly told the children what was happening and how long Catherine would need to stay away, but otherwise made it clear that everything would continue as usual and when she got home, she would need to rest a bit.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in June 2025. (Karaway Tang/WireImage)

Middleton kept in touch with her family while in the hospital through video calls, “and kept up with what George, Charlotte and Louis were doing at school and asked if ‘Papa’ would be able to cook for them while she was away,” Myers wrote.

“At the time, it seemed like everyone was completely within reach, and were certainly the calm in the storm,” he wrote. “But away from the children, he was of course incredibly pensive. He brought his father’s illness “To focus on how quickly his life, his family’s life, as well as the entire landscape of the organization can change so quickly.”

Kate Middleton surprises with a piano duet with her daughter Princess Charlotte at a Christmas carol service

In March, the princess was contacted by her medical team at the London clinic where she underwent abdominal surgery and told her they had found out Cancer was present.

“The advice was an immediate course of prophylactic chemotherapy in order to give her the best chance of a full recovery,” Myers wrote. “Katherine’s friends say that although she was completely shocked, she remained calm. Her first thoughts were of her children and husband.”

“Duty is important to them, but it has to come second as far as their family is concerned, because if they get the family right, everything will follow.”

-Russell Myers

Myers wrote that William later told friends that he was in “a state of disbelief” when he heard about her diagnosis.

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“Firstly mother “She was diagnosed with cancer, and a month later his wife was now facing a similar challenge,” he wrote. “Catherine called her parents and siblings to tell them, and then she and William decided to gather the children and pass on what they knew in the best and most positive way possible.”

After telling their children, Middleton decided she needed to make a public statement about her cancer, believing that her “experience could benefit others in similar traumatic circumstances.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton during a trip to Scotland in January. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Middleton made Her simple seated ad On a bench surrounded by flowers on March 22, 2024.

“The message, which was recorded in strict confidence by the BBC’s special events team, was broadcast on the national news and online at 6pm,” Myers wrote. “It’s almost like advertising Death of Elizabeth IIIt sounded like an earthquake that reverberated around the world. “The previous days were full of shock, but at that moment, it was as if the world had really stopped,” a senior courtier said.

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Although a close friend described William as feeling like he had been “hit by a bus,” he did everything he could to keep life normal for their children: Prince George, 12; Princess Charlotte, 10; And Prince Louis, 7.

“The Prince of Wales took charge of leaving schools, while Catherine’s parents and siblings were regular visitors to the family home at Windsor,” he wrote. “Quiet evening dinners were enjoyed at home, play dates were organized to keep the children entertained, and there were weekend getaways at the Middleton family home in Berkshire – all part of surrounding George, Charlotte and Louis with as much love and support as possible.”

Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte wave during Trooping the Color in June 2022. (Karaway Tang/WireImage)

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A friend told Myers that the royal couple were also “very conscious of protecting ‘their children’ as much as possible. Catherine’s admiration for the way William handled it all, kept the kids entertained and occupied, and was always upbeat even when he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, allowing her to focus on her treatment and recovery, is something she will be forever grateful for.”

The 44-year-old announced this in September 2024 She has finished cancer treatment In January of last year, she announced that she was in recovery.

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On Saturday, the couple celebrated Valentine’s Day by sharing a photo An unprecedented image Of two of them.

“Happy Valentine’s Day!” William and Kate wrote on their Instagram page, revealing that the black-and-white photo was taken by photographer Josh Shiner, who also took their Christmas card photo.