Britain's Prince William has shared new details about how his three children coped when their mother Kate, the Princess of Wales, was diagnosed with cancer last year.
William told actor Eugene Levy on a new episode of his show "The Reluctant Traveler" that the couple's children -- Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 -- each coped in their own way after Kate's cancer diagnosis.
"Everyone has their own coping mechanisms for these sorts of things, and children are constantly learning and adapting," William told Levy as he showed him around Windsor Castle. "We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need."
He continued, "And we're a very open family, so we talk about things that bother us, and things that trouble us, but you never quite know the knock-on effects that it can have. And so, it's just important to be there for each other and to kind of reassure the children that everything is OK."
Kate, who has been married to William since 2011, announced publicly in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer. She did not share the type of cancer with which she was diagnosed nor details of her treatment beyond stating that she underwent chemotherapy.
In January, Kate shared in a statement that her cancer was in remission, writing, "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery."
William told Levy that 2024 was the "hardest" year of his life, as he supported Kate through her treatment and tried to protect their kids from the glare of the media spotlight, while also trying to rally around his father King Charles III, who announced his own cancer diagnosis last year.
"I'd say 2024 was the hardest year that I've ever had, trying to sort of balance protecting the children, Catherine -- my father needs a bit of protection, but he's, you know, he's old enough to do that himself as well," William said. "But it's important my family feel protected and have the space to process a lot of the stuff that's gone on last year, and that was tricky trying to do that and keep doing the job."
William added that he is proud of how his family came through the difficult times, describing George, Charlotte and Louis as having "managed brilliantly."
"Life is sent to test us as well, and it definitely can be challenging at times, and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are," he said. "I'm so proud of my wife and my father for how they've handled all of last year. My children have managed brilliantly as well."
William also shared a glimpse of his family's home life, telling Levy that he and Kate try to arrange their schedules so that they can be part of their kids' daily and school lives.
Since 2022, George, Charlotte and Louis have attended Lambrook School in Berkshire, located near the family's home on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
"Most days we're in and out of school doing pick-ups and drop-offs," William said. "Getting the balance of work and family life right is really important, because for me, the most important thing in my life is family, and everything is about the future and about if you don't start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you're setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall."
William said the family is diligent about having meals together and enjoying conversation during that time, without any distractions.
"We sit and chat, it's really important," he said. "None of our children have any phones, which we're very strict about."
When it comes to hobbies, William said Louis and Charlotte love to jump on the trampoline, George plays multiple sports, and that all three kids are learning musical instruments.
"Charlotte does her netball as well, and her ballet, and so keeping them busy with sports and being outdoors is really important," he said, adding of his eldest child, "George loves his football and his hockey."
When it comes to the day that he is king -- and then, eventually, when George is king -- William said that he wants to make sure the monarchy changes and evolves.
"I think it's safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good, and I embrace that, and I enjoy that change. I don't fear it," William said. "That's the bit that excites me, is the idea of being able to bring some change. Not overly radical change, but changes that I think that need to happen."
