A former aide to Prince William has shared how deeply the Prince struggled after learning that his wife, Kate Middleton, had cancer. Jason Knauf, who worked closely with William and Kate, said William was at his lowest point after hearing the heartbreaking news. In an interview, Knauf described the moment he found out as “awful, absolutely awful.”
William faced a huge challenge when he learned that both Kate and his father, King Charles, had been diagnosed with cancer around the same time.
On top of this, social media was filled with rumors and speculation about Kate’s health before the couple had even told their children about her diagnosis. William also had to deal with resurfaced rumors about an alleged affair with Rose Hanbury, a close neighbor.
Speaking in the Australian documentary Where There’s a Will, Knauf explained how difficult this period was for William, saying: “In just a few weeks, he found out both his wife and father had cancer.”
Meanwhile, King Charles, 76, has continued to fulfill his royal duties despite his illness. Insiders say he is also preparing William for his future role as king.
William and Kate took time to make sure their children were ready before they shared Kate’s diagnosis with the public. Knauf also spoke about how William, having grown up in the public eye, wants to protect his children from the pressures of social media and constant attention.
He also touched on the strained relationship between William and Prince Harry, calling it “hard and sad” to watch their issues play out so publicly. Knauf, who was recently honored for his service to the royal family, also commented on William’s new beard, joking that it wouldn’t be there if Kate didn’t like it.
The 60 Minutes Australia documentary explores the challenges faced by the royal family, including the impact of illness, rumors, and public scrutiny on William and Kate’s marriage.