King Charles was reportedly not impressed when Prince William made a ‘request’ following Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis, and issued a brutal two-word response
King Charles allegedly gave a blunt two-word reply to Prince William’s plea after discovering that his wife, Princess Kate, had been diagnosed with cancer.
In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate.
His Majesty withdrew from public-facing engagements whilst receiving treatment, continuing to carry out his constitutional duties behind closed doors.
In another devastating blow to the Royal Family, Catherine subsequently revealed in a video message in March that she was undergoing cancer treatment in its early phases.
Describing it as a “huge shock,” the princess conveyed her statement with composed resolve that profoundly touched the nation, reports the Express.
“At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer,” she said. “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
Behind closed doors, Prince William was reportedly “totally crestfallen,” according to royal author Robert Jobson.
Juggling his official responsibilities with supporting his wife and their three young children at Adelaide Cottage, the future king subsequently described the experience as “brutal… the hardest year of my life” in an interview with The Times journalist Kate Mansey.
In his new book The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty, Mr Jobson reveals that Prince William advised King Charles to slow down and heed the advice of his medical team.
He even suggested reducing his own royal duties to just ten for the year, hoping to concentrate on family and recuperation.
However, King Charles was not receptive to this idea. According to the author, the monarch responded with a curt, two-word reply: “Think again.”
Despite their differing opinions on how to manage the situation, the shared experience has brought Prince William and his father closer together. Charles showed strong support for his “beloved” daughter-in-law, praising her “courage and resilience” — sentiments that held particular significance given his own health struggles.
Mr Jobson wrote: “Like William, he became a ‘beacon of strength’ to the princess. The two had a private one-to-one lunch at Windsor Castle the day before Catherine’s pre-recorded video was aired.
“At this meeting, they were able to provide mutual support. After the video was broadcast, Charles released a palace statement expressing his pride in Catherine for her bravery in speaking out as she did.”
In January, the Princess of Wales announced that she is in remission from cancer, marking an emotional return to the hospital where she underwent treatment.
In a post shared on social media, Catherine expressed her “relief” and stated that she remained “focused on recovery.”
“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am, however, looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead,” the princess wrote in her heartfelt post, signing off simply as “C.”
