Prince William Opens up About Navigating His Family’s Cancer Diagnoses

The Prince of Wales got candid about what he described as the most difficult year of his life, when his father and wife were both diagnosed with cancer just months apart.

Prince William, 43, got candid about the emotional impact of watching his loved ones suffer. The Prince of Wales opened up about the ordeal during his appearance on the October 3 episode of Apple TV+'s "The Reluctant Traveler."

William began by reflecting on his family's resilience — and how reality changed in an instant when that resilience was tested. "We've been very lucky; we hadn't had many illnesses in the family for a very long time," William told host Eugene Levy.

"My grandparents lived until they were in the high nineties," he said, referring to his late grandparents 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."

He 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," he added. "But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places."

William's family took a great toll last year when they announced that King Charles III, 76, and Princess Kate, 43, were both diagnosed with undisclosed forms of cancer. Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles' cancer diagnosis in February 2024, and his treatment is ongoing.

Princess Kate announced that March that she had been undergoing treatment after an abdominal surgery in January. In September 2024, she shared that she had completed chemotherapy, and the following January, she revealed she was in remission.

"I'd say '23-'24 was the hardest year I've ever had," William told Levy as they sat down together at a pub in another preview of the episode. "You know, life is sent to test us and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are."