Prince William sought to scale back his official duties to just ten engagements for the remainder of 2024, but his father declined the request, a royal author has claimed.
The King encouraged his eldest son to reconsider the proposal, according to royal biographer Robert Jobson.
The plea came during an exceptionally challenging period for the monarchy.
The King received his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, with the Princess of Wales announcing her own cancer battle just weeks later in March through a heartfelt video address.
Prince William sought to scale back his official duties to just ten engagements for the remainder of 2024, but his father declined the request, a royal author has claimed.
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The simultaneous health crises affecting two senior royals profoundly affected William.
The heir apparent found himself navigating unprecedented personal turmoil whilst maintaining his public responsibilities and told by the King to “Think again” regarding reducing his royal engagements.
In a revealing conversation with comedian Eugene Levy for Apple TV’s The Reluctant Traveler which aired last month, the prince shared his emotional struggles during the past year.
He distinguished between professional obligations and personal anxieties, explaining that whilst royal duties themselves don’t particularly burden him now, family-related concerns can leave him feeling swamped.
The Prince of Wales has stated that 2024 was the “hardest year of his life”.
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“You know, worry or stress around the family side of things that does overwhelm me quite a bit,” William confided to Levy. “But in terms of, you know, doing the job and things like that, I don’t feel too overwhelmed by that.”
The prince acknowledged that age and experience have helped him manage professional pressures better than in his youth.
He noted that unexpected challenges in his official role no longer unsettle him as they once did, having developed greater confidence in handling such situations over time.
“When it’s to do with family and things like that, then that’s where I start getting a bit overwhelmed – as I think most people would, because it’s more personal, it’s more about feeling, it’s more about upsetting the rhythm, if you like,” the prince explained.
The prince acknowledged that age and experience have helped him manage professional pressures better than in his youth.
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William characterised 2024 as the most challenging period he has endured. “I’d say 2024 was the hardest year that I’ve ever had,” he stated during the programme.
The Princess of Wales shared positive health news in January 2025, revealing she had entered remission.
Meanwhile, the King continues his cancer treatment regime.
The prince articulated his priorities clearly, placing his loved ones at the centre. “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,” he explained.
He stressed the importance of creating stability for the next generation. “And so, it’s about making sure that we can look after our families, look after our children, in a way that is best for their future.”