Princess Kate and Prince William have navigated a “brutal” year while parenting three young children.
The Princess of Wales spent two weeks in hospital in January after undergoing significant abdominal surgery at the London Clinic.
In March, Kate announced in an emotional video message that she had begun preventative chemotherapy treatment after cancer had been found in tests following her surgery.
The royal highlighted in her message the careful and delicate manner in which she and Prince William told their children about her health condition.
Princess Kate and Prince William have navigated a “brutal” year while parenting three young children.
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Kate said: “Most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.”
We did not see the Princess of Wales in an official public appearance for three months until she stepped out at the Trooping the Colour celebration alongside her three children in June to mark the King’s official birthday.
George, Charlotte and Louis looked relaxed and happy throughout the ceremony as they shared touching moments with their parents on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
A month later, William and Kate’s two eldest children, George and Charlotte, made separate high-profile appearances at major sporting events on the same day.
George, Charlotte and Louis looked relaxed and happy throughout the ceremony as they shared touching moments with their parents on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
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Princess Charlotte joined her mother, Princess Kate, and her aunty, Pippa Matthews, at the men’s singles final at Wimbledon to watch Carlos Alcaraz secure a historic straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic.
That same day, Prince George accompanied Prince William to Germany as they watched England take on Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
These landmark sporting occasions will be cherished memories for the young royals during an extremely challenging year.
In September, Kate announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment in a message which was accompanied by a short 3-minute film shot by Will Warr.
In September, Kate announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment in a message which was accompanied by a short 3-minute film shot by Will Warr.
Will Warr
In the video, George, Charlotte and Louis were recorded playing in the woods, on the beach and in the sea with their parents, as well as bonding with their grandparents, Michael and Carole Middleton.
The film captured the support network around Princess Kate, but also around Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Kate said in the video announcement: “This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
The message from the Princess of Wales was one of positivity and optimism for the future.
The message from the Princess of Wales was one of positivity and optimism for the future.
Will Warr
However, the stark reality of this year was laid bare by Prince William in a candid interview last month.
The Prince of Wales said: “It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
He added: “From a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
William has had to balance supporting his children and shielding them from the brutality of their mother and grandfather’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Last week, the children joined Kate and William for the Royal Family’s annual walk on Christmas Day at Sandringham.
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This month, George, Charlotte and Louis stepped out at Westminster Abbey to attend Kate’s annual Christmas Carol Service, an important engagement to the Princess of Wales and one she has not missed since its inception in 2021.
Last week, the children joined Kate and William for the Royal Family’s annual walk on Christmas Day at Sandringham.
This outing was particularly poignant as, in 2023, it was the last engagement the Princess of Wales undertook before she announced her cancer diagnosis less than three months later.
It was a fitting full-circle moment for the Waleses, where the importance of family and hope were at the centre of their final public appearance of 2024.
