Prince William says he and Kate chose to tell their children ‘everything’ about her cancer
Prince William said he and his wife Kate decided to be as open as possible when answering “tough questions” from their three children after he was diagnosed with cancer last year.
The Princess of Wales and King Charles were treated for cancer after returning to royal duties in 2024.
Speaking to Brazilian television, William said the couple decided honesty was the best policy when speaking to 12-year-old Prince George, 10-year-old Princess Charlotte and 7-year-old Prince Louis.
He said: “Every family goes through difficult times and faces challenges together. How you deal with these moments makes all the difference.
“We decided to tell our children both the good news and the bad news. We explain to them why things happen and why they might be upset.”
She added: “Many questions can arise unanswered; I think all parents experience this. There is no rule book for being a parent and we chose to talk about everything.”
He also opened up about their family life, saying that he and Kate try to be present as much as possible while carrying out their royal duties.
“Play dates, taxi driver, sports days, football matches, playing in the garden whenever we can,” she said. “School is running around most days. So Catherine and I share it, but she’s probably the one doing it.”
None of their children have yet been given a mobile phone, confirming that they are taking a cautious approach to introducing their children.
“It’s really hard. Our kids don’t have phones,” she explained.
“When George gets to middle school, maybe he’ll have a school with limited access.
“We talk to him and explain why we don’t think that’s right. With full access, kids are seeing things online that they shouldn’t be seeing. But with limited access, I think it’s good for messaging.”
During the interview, he was presented with a photograph of his mother, Princess Diana, cradling a child with HIV during her visit to Sao Paulo in 1991.
In response, he said: “I carry his social and human legacy with me every day.”
The prince was in Brazil for the COP30 climate summit; here he gave a keynote speech and warned that the world was “dangerously close to disaster.”
“We gather here today, in the heart of the Amazon, at a pivotal moment in human history,” he told world leaders.
“This is a moment that requires courage, collaboration and unwavering commitment to the future of our planet – a future that belongs not to us, but to our children and grandchildren.
“All of us here today understand that the world is dangerously close to critical tipping points…thresholds where the natural systems on which we depend may begin to unravel.”
