Prince William saw an 'old wound reopen' when his wife Catherine was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, a royal expert claims. The Princess of Wales announced she was receiving treatment for the disease in spring 2024, having undergone major abdominal surgery. She then confirmed she was in remission in January 2025.
Diagnosis 'carried scent of déjà vu'
The diagnosis had a huge effect on the family, a new book claims, and William in particular was hit by the news. Royal expert Ingrid Seward writes the announcement "carried with it the unmistakable scent of déjà vu" for the heir-apparent, who lost his mother Diana aged just 15.
She wrote in 'Catherine & Diana': "When Catherine fell ill, it wasn't just a medical crisis. It was the reopening of an old wound he had spent decades learning to live around."
"[William experienced a] sense of being thrust into a story he had never chosen, one that had already taken too much from him."
William's active role in family life
Ms Seward also claims the diagnosis compelled William to make sure he played an active role in his family's life. She added: "The thought that he might lose her was intolerable to William, so he made sure he wouldn't - by being there at every turn."
Recently, Catherine has been undertaking solo royal duties including a tour of Italy in May and completing the Three Peaks Challenge in June to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which helped care for her during treatment.
Visit to Sir Kevin Sinfield
Last month, both William and Kate visited Sir Kevin Sinfield in Wakefield as the rugby league legend completed seven ultra-marathons in seven days to raise money for the MND Association in memory of his Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow. Sir Kevin was knighted by William at Windsor Castle on Wednesday (October 7).
