Prince William has revealed the challenges he and Kate Middleton faced in discussing her cancer diagnosis with their children, describing the process as a delicate ‘balancing act’ during an interview in Brazil. He stressed that open communication was key to reducing their children’s anxiety about the situation.
The Prince of Wales shared these personal insights during his first visit to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize Awards in early November 2025. Speaking with Brazilian television host Luciano Huck in Rio de Janeiro, William opened up about how he and the Princess of Wales approached difficult conversations with their children over the past two years, including both Kate’s and King Charles’s cancer diagnoses.
William explained that they intentionally chose to communicate more with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, believing that transparency often works better than secrecy. ‘Every family has its own difficulties and its own challenges. It’s very individual and sort of moment-dependent as to how you deal with those problems,’ he said. He described the constant dilemma of deciding how much to share, what to say, and when to say it.
The future king admitted that sometimes he felt he was ‘oversharing’ with the children, but clarified that ‘most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn’t work.’ He emphasized that providing context and explanations helped the children understand their emotions and reduced their anxiety. ‘There’s a lot more questions when there’s no answers,’ William noted, highlighting the importance of giving them a ‘bigger picture.’
Kate Middleton first disclosed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, two months after abdominal surgery that led her to step back from royal duties. In a statement at the time, she mentioned the need to process the news privately with her family and find an ‘appropriate’ way to tell their children. She completed her treatment in September 2024 and announced in January 2025 that she was in remission, focusing on her recovery.
During the same interview, William discussed other aspects of parenting, revealing that their children do not have phones due to concerns about internet access. He indicated that Prince George might receive a limited-access phone when he starts secondary school. William also joked about his role in the school run, calling himself a ‘taxi driver,’ and shared that either he or Kate handles it most days.
The conversation also covered the Earthshot Prize, which William founded to promote environmental solutions. He expressed optimism about the progress made in the first five years but acknowledged that more effort is needed in this ‘decade of change.’ Winners of the 2025 awards included initiatives for tropical forest restoration and a global ocean treaty.
William’s candid reflections offer a glimpse into the royal family’s personal struggles and their efforts to maintain a stable environment for their children. As Kate continues her recovery, the family is adjusting to their ‘new normal,’ with William emphasizing that there’s ‘no manual for being a parent’ and that they rely on instinct to guide them through challenging times.
