The Prince of Wales faced an exceptionally challenging time following the diagnosis of cancer in both his wife, Princess Catherine, and his father, King Charles III. According to Jason Knauf, a former aide to Prince William, this was one of the lowest points in his life. The revelation, made during an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, shed light on the emotional toll that recent health crises within the royal family have taken on the future king.
Knauf, who previously served as chief executive of the Royal Foundation, described the period as “absolutely awful”, particularly when both diagnoses were confirmed in close succession. The disclosure of the Princess of Wales’ illness in March of last year was initially met with intense speculation and misinformation, with conspiracy theories circulating online about her condition. This forced the royal couple to navigate an immensely personal crisis under the relentless scrutiny of the public.
Prince William, now 42, acknowledged the difficulty of the past year, calling it “the hardest of his life”. During a visit to South Africa, he spoke briefly to reporters, sharing that maintaining his duties while processing his wife’s and father’s diagnoses was an immense challenge.
Royal family’s response to health crises
The royal family has faced a significant period of uncertainty and hardship with both King Charles III and Princess Catherine undergoing cancer treatment. While the king continues with ongoing medical care, the Princess of Wales has entered remission. The process of informing their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—was reportedly a primary concern for the couple, who sought to protect them from unnecessary distress while preparing them for the reality of their mother’s illness.
The news of Catherine’s diagnosis came amid growing online speculation about her absence from public engagements. The royal family initially refrained from immediate public disclosure as they navigated how best to share the news with their children first. As rumors escalated, fueled by digital misinformation, the official confirmation of her illness was intended to put an end to unfounded speculation.
Challenges in Prince William’s relationship with Prince Harry
Jason Knauf, who has worked for both Prince William and Prince Harry, also touched upon the ongoing strain in their relationship. The brothers’ personal disagreements and public tensions have been widely reported, and while William has largely refrained from commenting publicly, the rift has been painful for those who worked closely with them.
Knauf acknowledged that those familiar with the two princes found it difficult to witness their relationship deteriorate. He emphasized that while William has remained private about the situation, it has undoubtedly been “hard and sad” for everyone who has supported both princes over the years.
Knauf’s role in the royal household
A seasoned royal aide, Jason Knauf played an instrumental role in the Royal Foundation, overseeing key initiatives such as Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, a £50 million environmental award that supports innovative projects aimed at addressing climate change. Before working with the royal family, Knauf held positions at HM Treasury, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the office of the New Zealand prime minister.
His tenure was not without controversy. In October 2018, while serving as communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Knauf made a formal bullying complaint against Meghan Markle, alleging mistreatment of royal staff. The complaint was later scrutinized, and Meghan’s legal team firmly denied all accusations.
Despite stepping down from his role in 2021, Knauf remained a respected figure within royal circles and was awarded the title Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
Harry and Meghan’s continued presence on the public stage
While Prince William has dealt with personal and family challenges privately, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have remained in the public eye. The couple was seen attending the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, an event close to Prince Harry’s heart as it supports wounded military veterans.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s presence in Vancouver came amid speculation regarding their relationship with the royal family. Although Harry has made select visits to the UK since relocating to the United States, his interactions with William and the rest of the family remain distant.
Impact of health crises on the monarchy
The series of health setbacks within the royal family has reshaped public perception and expectations for the monarchy. With King Charles III continuing treatment and Princess Catherine’s return to remission, questions remain about how the next generation of royals will balance personal difficulties with their official duties.
For Prince William, his focus remains on supporting his wife and family while preparing for his future role as king. The past year has tested his resilience, but those close to him describe him as steadfast in his dedication to both his family and royal responsibilities.
Key developments in the royal family
- Prince William described the past year as the hardest of his life following the diagnosis of both his wife and father.
- Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis was announced in March, following months of speculation about her health.
- King Charles III continues treatment for cancer, though details about his condition remain private.
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada, while their relationship with the royal family remains strained.
- Jason Knauf, former aide to Prince William, revealed insights into how the prince coped with the personal crises, as well as his professional contributions to the royal household.
As the royal family continues to navigate these challenges, their ability to adapt and maintain public trust will be closely watched. For Prince William, the responsibility of balancing personal hardship with his duties to the nation remains one of the greatest tests of his life.

The Prince of Wales faced an exceptionally challenging time following the diagnosis of cancer in both his wife, Princess Catherine, and his father, King Charles III. According to Jason Knauf, a former aide to Prince William, this was one of the lowest points in his life. The revelation, made during an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, shed light on the emotional toll that recent health crises within the royal family have taken on the future king.
Knauf, who previously served as chief executive of the Royal Foundation, described the period as “absolutely awful”, particularly when both diagnoses were confirmed in close succession. The disclosure of the Princess of Wales’ illness in March of last year was initially met with intense speculation and misinformation, with conspiracy theories circulating online about her condition. This forced the royal couple to navigate an immensely personal crisis under the relentless scrutiny of the public.
Prince William, now 42, acknowledged the difficulty of the past year, calling it “the hardest of his life”. During a visit to South Africa, he spoke briefly to reporters, sharing that maintaining his duties while processing his wife’s and father’s diagnoses was an immense challenge.
Royal family’s response to health crises
The royal family has faced a significant period of uncertainty and hardship with both King Charles III and Princess Catherine undergoing cancer treatment. While the king continues with ongoing medical care, the Princess of Wales has entered remission. The process of informing their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—was reportedly a primary concern for the couple, who sought to protect them from unnecessary distress while preparing them for the reality of their mother’s illness.
The news of Catherine’s diagnosis came amid growing online speculation about her absence from public engagements. The royal family initially refrained from immediate public disclosure as they navigated how best to share the news with their children first. As rumors escalated, fueled by digital misinformation, the official confirmation of her illness was intended to put an end to unfounded speculation.
Challenges in Prince William’s relationship with Prince Harry
Jason Knauf, who has worked for both Prince William and Prince Harry, also touched upon the ongoing strain in their relationship. The brothers’ personal disagreements and public tensions have been widely reported, and while William has largely refrained from commenting publicly, the rift has been painful for those who worked closely with them.
Knauf acknowledged that those familiar with the two princes found it difficult to witness their relationship deteriorate. He emphasized that while William has remained private about the situation, it has undoubtedly been “hard and sad” for everyone who has supported both princes over the years.
Knauf’s role in the royal household
A seasoned royal aide, Jason Knauf played an instrumental role in the Royal Foundation, overseeing key initiatives such as Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, a £50 million environmental award that supports innovative projects aimed at addressing climate change. Before working with the royal family, Knauf held positions at HM Treasury, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the office of the New Zealand prime minister.
His tenure was not without controversy. In October 2018, while serving as communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Knauf made a formal bullying complaint against Meghan Markle, alleging mistreatment of royal staff. The complaint was later scrutinized, and Meghan’s legal team firmly denied all accusations.
Despite stepping down from his role in 2021, Knauf remained a respected figure within royal circles and was awarded the title Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
Harry and Meghan’s continued presence on the public stage
While Prince William has dealt with personal and family challenges privately, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have remained in the public eye. The couple was seen attending the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, an event close to Prince Harry’s heart as it supports wounded military veterans.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s presence in Vancouver came amid speculation regarding their relationship with the royal family. Although Harry has made select visits to the UK since relocating to the United States, his interactions with William and the rest of the family remain distant.
Impact of health crises on the monarchy
The series of health setbacks within the royal family has reshaped public perception and expectations for the monarchy. With King Charles III continuing treatment and Princess Catherine’s return to remission, questions remain about how the next generation of royals will balance personal difficulties with their official duties.
For Prince William, his focus remains on supporting his wife and family while preparing for his future role as king. The past year has tested his resilience, but those close to him describe him as steadfast in his dedication to both his family and royal responsibilities.
Key developments in the royal family
- Prince William described the past year as the hardest of his life following the diagnosis of both his wife and father.
- Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis was announced in March, following months of speculation about her health.
- King Charles III continues treatment for cancer, though details about his condition remain private.
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada, while their relationship with the royal family remains strained.
- Jason Knauf, former aide to Prince William, revealed insights into how the prince coped with the personal crises, as well as his professional contributions to the royal household.
As the royal family continues to navigate these challenges, their ability to adapt and maintain public trust will be closely watched. For Prince William, the responsibility of balancing personal hardship with his duties to the nation remains one of the greatest tests of his life.
