Prince William faced one of the most challenging moments of his life following the cancer diagnosis of his wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. This revelation came from Jason Knauf, a former aide and former CEO of the Royal Foundation, who worked closely with William and Kate for years. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Knauf described the period as the “lowest” he had ever seen the prince, highlighting the profound emotional impact the news had on the heir to the British throne.
The situation was made even more difficult by the fact that, within a short period, William learned that both his wife and his father, King Charles III, were battling cancer. “It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen him,” Knauf shared, emphasizing the emotional weight of the period.
Kate Middleton was diagnosed with cancer in March of last year, and her battle with the disease was kept private until the family felt ready to address the news publicly. According to Knauf, the couple chose not to immediately announce the diagnosis as they were still processing the information and planning how to share it with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
the difficult decision to keep the diagnosis private
Knauf revealed that one of the biggest challenges William and Kate faced was deciding when and how to tell their children about their mother’s illness. “The problem was that all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off online, questioning if she was really ill,” Knauf said. The couple had to endure the emotional strain of the disease while also facing public speculation.
The decision to keep the diagnosis private sparked public debates and criticism, but for William and Kate, the emotional well-being of their children was the top priority. Preparing George, Charlotte, and Louis to understand the gravity of the situation was a delicate task, leading the couple to delay the official announcement until they felt prepared to have that conversation.
kate’s battle and william’s support
Despite the severity of the diagnosis, Kate Middleton is now in remission, while King Charles III continues his treatment. Prince William, who has always valued discretion regarding family matters, briefly addressed the difficult period during a visit to South Africa late last year. “It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year of my life,” the prince admitted, highlighting the struggle of balancing his royal duties with personal hardships.
Kate, known for her active engagement in social causes and royal events, stepped back from public appearances for several months during her treatment. William continued his royal duties, though visibly affected, showing resilience during this emotionally taxing time.
family tensions and william’s relationship with harry
Jason Knauf also touched on Prince William’s strained relationship with his brother, Prince Harry. The rift between the brothers has been widely publicized since Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from royal duties and subsequent media appearances, including Harry’s memoir, Spare. Knauf noted that William has chosen to keep his feelings private regarding the matter. “It’s very difficult to have this stuff play out in the public eye, but he’s chosen to keep his thoughts on it private, and I think all of us who know him really have to respect that,” Knauf said.
The distance between the brothers has been evident at public events, but insiders suggest there remains hope for reconciliation, especially given the recent challenges faced by William and Kate.
speculations and conspiracy theories
Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis and her prolonged absence from the public eye fueled numerous conspiracy theories on social media. Many speculated about the reasons behind the silence, creating an additional layer of stress for the royal family.
Knauf lamented the spread of these rumors, pointing out how they worsened an already painful situation. “While they were dealing with something so personal and difficult, they also had to endure public judgment and baseless theories,” he said. For Knauf, this intense scrutiny is harmful, particularly during times of personal crisis.
impact of the diagnosis on the royal children
William and Kate focused heavily on protecting their children from the most distressing aspects of Kate’s illness. The couple maintained a sense of normalcy for George, Charlotte, and Louis, keeping up with school routines and extracurricular activities. However, helping the children understand the situation was a delicate process.
Child mental health experts emphasize the importance of communicating serious health issues in an age-appropriate manner. The royal family reportedly sought guidance from professionals on how best to support the children through this challenging time.
jason knauf’s role and career in the royal household
Jason Knauf served as a senior aide to the British royal family, working closely with both Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He was the CEO of the Royal Foundation until the end of 2021, during which time he led major projects like the Earthshot Prize, Prince William’s environmental initiative.
In 2018, while serving as communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Knauf filed a formal bullying complaint against Meghan Markle, an allegation that generated widespread controversy. Meghan’s legal team strongly denied the accusations.
Knauf later expressed regret over not providing testimony during Meghan Markle’s privacy lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday. Meghan ultimately won the case in 2021, when the court ruled that the publication of a private letter to her father was unlawful.
meghan and harry’s life away from the royal family
While William and Kate navigated their personal challenges, Harry and Meghan continued their public life in the United States, having stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Recently, the couple attended the Invictus Games in Vancouver, reaffirming their commitment to social causes.
Despite the physical and emotional distance between the brothers, sources suggest that Harry expressed concern upon hearing of Kate’s diagnosis. However, there has been no official confirmation of direct contact between the siblings since the news broke.
the future of the royal family amid challenges
Kate Middleton’s diagnosis and King Charles III’s ongoing treatment have reignited discussions about the future of the British royal family. With increased responsibility falling on Prince William, he now faces immense pressure, balancing his role as heir to the throne with personal hardships.
Royal analysts believe this period represents a significant test for the monarchy, which has long dealt with questions about its relevance. The royal family’s ability to maintain unity and resilience during these times will be crucial to its public image and stability.
mental health awareness and resilience
Kate Middleton’s health battle has also brought attention to the importance of mental health support during crises. Prince William, who has previously advocated for mental health awareness, highlighted the necessity of seeking emotional support in difficult times.
Experts note that dealing with a family member’s cancer diagnosis is one of life’s most emotionally taxing experiences. Having access to psychological support and maintaining strong family bonds are key factors in navigating such periods.

Prince William faced one of the most challenging moments of his life following the cancer diagnosis of his wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. This revelation came from Jason Knauf, a former aide and former CEO of the Royal Foundation, who worked closely with William and Kate for years. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Knauf described the period as the “lowest” he had ever seen the prince, highlighting the profound emotional impact the news had on the heir to the British throne.
The situation was made even more difficult by the fact that, within a short period, William learned that both his wife and his father, King Charles III, were battling cancer. “It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen him,” Knauf shared, emphasizing the emotional weight of the period.
Kate Middleton was diagnosed with cancer in March of last year, and her battle with the disease was kept private until the family felt ready to address the news publicly. According to Knauf, the couple chose not to immediately announce the diagnosis as they were still processing the information and planning how to share it with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
the difficult decision to keep the diagnosis private
Knauf revealed that one of the biggest challenges William and Kate faced was deciding when and how to tell their children about their mother’s illness. “The problem was that all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off online, questioning if she was really ill,” Knauf said. The couple had to endure the emotional strain of the disease while also facing public speculation.
The decision to keep the diagnosis private sparked public debates and criticism, but for William and Kate, the emotional well-being of their children was the top priority. Preparing George, Charlotte, and Louis to understand the gravity of the situation was a delicate task, leading the couple to delay the official announcement until they felt prepared to have that conversation.
kate’s battle and william’s support
Despite the severity of the diagnosis, Kate Middleton is now in remission, while King Charles III continues his treatment. Prince William, who has always valued discretion regarding family matters, briefly addressed the difficult period during a visit to South Africa late last year. “It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year of my life,” the prince admitted, highlighting the struggle of balancing his royal duties with personal hardships.
Kate, known for her active engagement in social causes and royal events, stepped back from public appearances for several months during her treatment. William continued his royal duties, though visibly affected, showing resilience during this emotionally taxing time.
family tensions and william’s relationship with harry
Jason Knauf also touched on Prince William’s strained relationship with his brother, Prince Harry. The rift between the brothers has been widely publicized since Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from royal duties and subsequent media appearances, including Harry’s memoir, Spare. Knauf noted that William has chosen to keep his feelings private regarding the matter. “It’s very difficult to have this stuff play out in the public eye, but he’s chosen to keep his thoughts on it private, and I think all of us who know him really have to respect that,” Knauf said.
The distance between the brothers has been evident at public events, but insiders suggest there remains hope for reconciliation, especially given the recent challenges faced by William and Kate.
speculations and conspiracy theories
Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis and her prolonged absence from the public eye fueled numerous conspiracy theories on social media. Many speculated about the reasons behind the silence, creating an additional layer of stress for the royal family.
Knauf lamented the spread of these rumors, pointing out how they worsened an already painful situation. “While they were dealing with something so personal and difficult, they also had to endure public judgment and baseless theories,” he said. For Knauf, this intense scrutiny is harmful, particularly during times of personal crisis.
impact of the diagnosis on the royal children
William and Kate focused heavily on protecting their children from the most distressing aspects of Kate’s illness. The couple maintained a sense of normalcy for George, Charlotte, and Louis, keeping up with school routines and extracurricular activities. However, helping the children understand the situation was a delicate process.
Child mental health experts emphasize the importance of communicating serious health issues in an age-appropriate manner. The royal family reportedly sought guidance from professionals on how best to support the children through this challenging time.
jason knauf’s role and career in the royal household
Jason Knauf served as a senior aide to the British royal family, working closely with both Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He was the CEO of the Royal Foundation until the end of 2021, during which time he led major projects like the Earthshot Prize, Prince William’s environmental initiative.
In 2018, while serving as communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Knauf filed a formal bullying complaint against Meghan Markle, an allegation that generated widespread controversy. Meghan’s legal team strongly denied the accusations.
Knauf later expressed regret over not providing testimony during Meghan Markle’s privacy lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday. Meghan ultimately won the case in 2021, when the court ruled that the publication of a private letter to her father was unlawful.
meghan and harry’s life away from the royal family
While William and Kate navigated their personal challenges, Harry and Meghan continued their public life in the United States, having stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Recently, the couple attended the Invictus Games in Vancouver, reaffirming their commitment to social causes.
Despite the physical and emotional distance between the brothers, sources suggest that Harry expressed concern upon hearing of Kate’s diagnosis. However, there has been no official confirmation of direct contact between the siblings since the news broke.
the future of the royal family amid challenges
Kate Middleton’s diagnosis and King Charles III’s ongoing treatment have reignited discussions about the future of the British royal family. With increased responsibility falling on Prince William, he now faces immense pressure, balancing his role as heir to the throne with personal hardships.
Royal analysts believe this period represents a significant test for the monarchy, which has long dealt with questions about its relevance. The royal family’s ability to maintain unity and resilience during these times will be crucial to its public image and stability.
mental health awareness and resilience
Kate Middleton’s health battle has also brought attention to the importance of mental health support during crises. Prince William, who has previously advocated for mental health awareness, highlighted the necessity of seeking emotional support in difficult times.
Experts note that dealing with a family member’s cancer diagnosis is one of life’s most emotionally taxing experiences. Having access to psychological support and maintaining strong family bonds are key factors in navigating such periods.
