Prince William offered a heartwarming update on the health of his wife, Kate Middleton, during his appearance at the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Normandy invasion in World War II. The Prince of Wales, who has been meeting with veterans and members of the public in Arromanches, Normandy, France, took on his first duties deputizing for King Charles, as the occasion was deemed a "step too far" for His Majesty amid his ongoing cancer treatment.
While speaking to a veteran who inquired about the Princess of Wales' well-being, Prince William said, "Yes, she would have loved to have been here today. I was reminding everybody, her grandmother served at Bletchley so she would have had quite a bit in common with a few of the other ladies here who served at Bletchley but never spoke about it until the very end."
The elderly gentleman, proudly wearing a Union Jack flag and his war medals, had asked, "I was going to ask you if your wife was getting any better?"
Royal fans were quick to applaud the prince and the veteran for their heartwarming interaction, with one commenting on social media, "Got to love this man for his respectful question about the princess." Another added, "What a lovely person he is," while a third remarked, "So sweet that this mighty war hero asks sweetly after the health of the Princess. These are truly decent people."
Kate Middleton, who shares three children with Prince William, announced her cancer diagnosis in a video message in March, nearly three months ago. The princess had undergone abdominal surgery in January, and according to Kensington Palace, she started a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February. The type of cancer has not been disclosed, and Kate has remained out of the public eye since the announcement, with the palace stating that she will only return to official duties when cleared by her medical team.
Prince William's update on his wife's health comes as a source of comfort to well-wishers who have been sending messages of support to the Princess of Wales since her brave announcement. The prince himself took a short time off from public duties following Kate's diagnosis but returned to work in mid-April, visiting a nonprofit organization in Surrey where volunteers presented him with cards of well-wishes for his wife.
The Prince of Wales' appearance at the D-Day commemorations also served as a testament to his growing responsibilities within the royal family, as he stepped in for his father, King Charles III, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year. A royal source told ABC News, "We have to prioritize and protect his continued recovery. On that basis, each event, day has to be carefully calibrated, and given His Majesty's other commitments on the day, it was advised that the international event later in the afternoon may be a step too far at this stage."
Despite the challenges faced by the royal family due to the health concerns of both King Charles and Kate Middleton, Prince William put on a brave face and delivered a moving speech at the Canadian commemoration on Juno Beach, which one individual on social media dubbed as "gut-wrenching." The future King praised the veterans for their "extraordinary acts of bravery and sacrifice" and spoke to locals in Arromanches, showcasing his dedication to his duties and the importance of honoring those who served in World War II.
