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Prince William Reflects on “Hardest Year” Amid Royal Family’s Health Battles
Prince William has described 2024 as the “hardest year” of his life, a candid revelation made in a preview for an upcoming television interview. The year proved exceptionally challenging for the Prince of Wales, marked by his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and his father, King Charles, both receiving and undergoing treatment for cancer. Adding to the family’s difficulties, William’s relationship with his younger brother, Prince Harry, remains strained.
The future monarch shared his sentiments with “Schitt’s Creek” star Eugene Levy during a segment for Levy’s Apple TV+ series, “The Reluctant Traveler.” A preview clip showed William telling Levy, “I’d say 2024 was the hardest year I’ve ever had.” The full episode, set to air on October 3, also features William giving Levy a tour of Windsor Castle and the two sharing a pint at a local pub.
Reflecting on the nature of adversity, William was quoted saying, “Life is said to test us as well, and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are.”
King Charles, 76, publicly announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. The condition was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate, though Buckingham Palace clarified it was not prostate cancer.
The King resumed his public engagements in May 2024. In April 2025, while attending an event for cancer charities, Charles shared a personal perspective, stating, “Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones.
But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.”
Just six weeks after the King’s announcement, Catherine, 43, disclosed her own cancer diagnosis and confirmed she was undergoing chemotherapy. Her announcement followed weeks of intense public speculation regarding her health. In September 2024, the Princess confirmed she had completed chemotherapy and subsequently returned to public duties, announcing in January that she was in remission.
During a visit to a cancer support center in July 2025, Princess Catherine likened the journey of cancer recovery to “a roller coaster.” She emphasized that difficulties persist even after active treatment concludes. “You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” she explained.
Prince William and Princess Catherine are parents to three young children, adding another layer of complexity to their personal challenges during this period.