Prince William Details "Brutal" 2024 With Kate Middleton and King Charles's Cancer Diagnoses

He called it the “hardest year” of his life.

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images

Despite the turmoil the royal family has been through this year, Prince William has been committed to staying positive during royal engagements and public outings. But now, the prince is getting candid about just how hard this year was on him and his family.

During the final day of his trip to Cape Town, South Africa, William called 2024 "brutal," referring to both his wife Kate Middleton and father King Charles's cancer diagnoses

“It's been dreadful," he said about the last year. "It's probably been the hardest year in my life.”

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images

And on top of it all, he and Middleton stepped into different roles after the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022. He added that it's become challenging to balance the additional responsibilities with everything that's been going on in their personal lives.

“Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult,” he said.

William added that he is immensely proud of what both Princess Kate and Charles have achieved while battling their illnesses.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done," he said. "But, from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal.”

During the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, William was asked about Kate's well-being, and he responded that she was “doing really well." He added that he hoped she was watching the evening's festivities from home.

"Hopefully, she is watching tonight. So, cheering me on," he said. “She's been amazing this whole this whole year. I know she will be really keen to see tonight be a success."