Prince William has finally addressed concerns about his wife, Kate Middleton, and their family's well-being following the Princess of Wales' shocking cancer announcement in March. During a walkabout at James' Place Newcastle, a mental health organization supporting men experiencing suicidal thoughts, the Prince of Wales, 41, responded to questions from well-wishers about the health of his wife and their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 6.
In footage shared on Instagram by the fan account WalesVideos, one woman sporting a Union Jack flag asked the prince, "Do you mind if I ask how your wife and children are?" to which William replied, "We're all doing well, thank you." When pressed further about Middleton's condition, the prince reiterated, "We're all doing well."
This outing marked William's third day of public engagements since Middleton's cancer announcement on March 22, which stunned the world. The Princess of Wales, 42, revealed that she was undergoing "preventative chemotherapy" for an undisclosed form of cancer discovered during abdominal surgery in January. In an emotional video message, Middleton described the diagnosis as "a huge shock" and explained that she and William had been "doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family."
The mother of three also acknowledged the time it took for her to recover from the major surgery before starting treatment and the importance of explaining the situation to their children "in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK." While Middleton did not disclose the specific type of cancer she is battling, she insisted that she is "well and getting stronger every day," describing her husband as "a great source of comfort and reassurance."
Prior to the announcement, Middleton's absence from public engagements since January had prompted mass speculation and conspiracy theories about her whereabouts. In the immediate aftermath, Prince William took a step back from duties to support his wife but has since returned to royal life, making appearances at various charities and events.
The Princess of Wales' health battle comes amidst another health challenge facing the royal family, as King Charles, 75, also battles an undisclosed form of cancer. The news has undoubtedly put a strain on the family, but William's recent comments suggest that they are managing the situation as best they can.
During his visit to James' Place Newcastle, Prince William also highlighted the importance of the charity's work in supporting men dealing with mental health crises. The organization was founded in 2008 by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley following the tragic death of their son James, who took his own life at the age of 21 after being unable to find urgent help for his anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
As the news release from Kensington Palace noted, "Suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 35, with men three times more likely than women to die by suicide in the U.K." The prince's visit to James' Place Newcastle not only provided an opportunity for him to address concerns about his family's well-being but also to raise awareness about the critical issue of men's mental health and the resources available to those in need.
