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Prince William has been profoundly shaken following the cancer diagnosis of his wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales. The shocking news came to light after Catherine underwent abdominal surgery in 2024, leaving the future king grappling with a whirlwind of emotions as he stood by her side through the challenging period.
A new book titled “William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story” by author Russell Myers, delves into this personal journey. A close friend of Prince William shared with Myers the prince’s reaction to the devastating diagnosis, describing it as akin to being struck by a bus—abrupt, harsh, and utterly disorienting. “Life was normal one moment, and then it turned upside down,” the friend recounted. “She means the world to him, and the diagnosis felt like the very ground beneath him had vanished.”
The Prince of Wales was stunned when wife Catherine was diagnosed with cancer
The friend further revealed the prince’s emotional turmoil: “He spoke of the experience as if the rug was pulled from under him, but it was much more than that. It was a combination of heartbreak, fear, and helplessness. Observing him through this ordeal was deeply moving. His eyes and demeanor reflected the weight he was carrying, yet his unwavering devotion to Catherine was evident. He has remained steadfast by her side, and his loyalty and love for her have left a lasting impression.”
In a new book, William and Catherine: The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story, a friend told author Russell Myers about the prince’s reaction: “It was like being hit by a bus, sudden, brutal, and completely disorienting. One moment life was normal, and the next, everything changed. He worships her, truly. She’s his world, and when the diagnosis came, it was as if the ground beneath him vanished.
“He talked about the rug being pulled, but it was more than that, it was heartbreak, fear and helplessness all at once. Watching him go through it was deeply emotional. You could see it in his eyes; in the way he held himself. But through it all, his devotion to her never wavered. He’s been by her side every step, and the depth of his devotion is something that stays with you.
“It’s love in its rawest, most powerful form.”
Despite their own shock, the couple’s priority was to make sure their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Prince Louis felt secure and supported.
In an excerpt from the book published by the Sunday Mirror newspaper, an aide revealed: “[They] both very calmly told the children what was going on and how long Catherine would need to be away for, but explained other than that everything would continue as normal and when she came home, she would need to rest up for a bit.”
While in hospital, Catherine kept in touch with video calls as she listened to stories about the children’s days and asking if “Papa” had cooked for them while she was away.
The princess’ parents and siblings were regular visitors to the family home, while William took over school drop-offs and lots of playdates were organised, as well as weekend visits to the children’s grandparents, Michael and Carole Middleton.
A friend said: “They were both very conscious of protecting [the kids] as much as possible.
“Catherine’s admiration for the way in which William took on all of that, keeping the children entertained and occupied, being constantly sanguine even when he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, allowing her to concentrate on her treatment and recovery, is something she will be eternally grateful for.”
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