But it wasn't just Kate who was shaken by the diagnosis - Prince William (43) went through one of the most difficult times of his life. His former communications chief, Jason Knauf, recalls: "It was absolutely terrible. I've never seen the Prince like this before." The worry for his wife and the question of how to explain the situation to their children weighed heavily on him.
Striking a balance between public role and private responsibility proved particularly challenging. "They had to be parents first," says Knauf. George (12), Charlotte (10), and Louis (7) needed to be protected, but not excluded. William and Kate agreed: their children should know the truth, but in a way that would not overwhelm them.
Although Kate is considered cancer-free today, the fear of a relapse remains. Nevertheless, she and William have shown that as a team they are stronger than ever. They stand together, share the burden, and walk the path together. This time was a tough test for Kate and William, bringing them closer together as a couple and as a family. Even though the scars remain, their story shows that hope and unity can shine even in the darkest of times.