Prince William speaks for first time about what he calls 'the hardest year of my life'

Prince William has reflected on how difficult 2024 has been for him and his family. 'It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult,' he said during his visit to South Africa, as Town & Country magazine confirms. The prince said it has been a huge challenge to maintain the family balance and his royal duties while dealing with complicated health issues.

William shared his pride in the courage shown by both his wife, Princess Catherine, and his father, King Charles III, who have both dealt with cancer diagnoses this year. "But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done" he said, the BBC reported.

King Charles III's diagnosis was announced in February, and since then the monarch has been receiving treatment. Although he initially reduced his official engagements, the King has gradually resumed his public duties as he recovers.

Meanwhile, Catherine, Princess of Wales, also faced her own struggle when she was found to have signs of cancer after an operation in January. She began preventive chemotherapy treatment in February and in September reported that she had completed the process.

At the time, Catherine spoke of her experience as ‘scary and unpredictable’, which has changed her perspective and made her appreciate the ‘simpler and more essential aspects of life’. In September this year, the princess was optimistic about her recovery, although she acknowledged that there is still a long way to go. On Sunday,  she made an appearance at the annual Remembrance Day - a national tribute to honour British servicemen and women who have fallen in combat.

Prince William thanked people for their patience and support as his family copes with this difficult time. William has stressed his commitment to continuing his public work and the Earthshot project, even in the midst of his family's situation, according to the BBC.

During his visit to Cape Town, William presided over the fourth Earthshot Awards in South Africa. There, five environmental innovators received £1 million each for their projects.

For the Prince, this environmental commitment is one of the most significant causes in his role as Prince of Wales. He has said he wants his environmental Earthshot prize to "change the world for good" over the next decade as he celebrated this year's winners, the BBC tells us.

William shared that he has found a balance between his royal duties and family life where his mantra seems to be "just crack on and you've got to keep going. I enjoy my work and I enjoy pacing myself and keeping sure that I have got time for my family too," per Lincolnshire Live.

Finally, William also joked about his new bearded look, something that divided opinion in his family. He confessed that the first time he grew it, his daughter, Princess Charlotte, was very upset. "Well Charlotte didn’t like it the first time. I got floods of tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back." Not to worry Charlotte, it's still Dad underneath.

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