President-elect Donald Trump recently revealed details of a private conversation with Prince William, offering insights into the health struggles of King Charles III and Princess Kate. The two met in Paris on December 7 during the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, which had undergone extensive restoration following its devastating fire in 2019. Prince William represented his father at the event, continuing to solidify his position as a key global statesman.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump recounted a conversation with the Prince of Wales that spanned more than 30 minutes at the U.K. Ambassador's Residence. The discussion touched on personal and familial topics, with Trump highlighting Prince William's reflections on his father and wife.
"I asked him about his wife, and he said she's doing well. And I asked him about his father, and his father is fighting very hard," Trump said. "He loves his father, and he loves his wife, so it was sad."
The 76-year-old King Charles was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, and Buckingham Palace confirmed his ongoing treatment. Although the palace has not specified the type of cancer, it noted in February that Charles underwent a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. Since then, the monarch has maintained a reduced public schedule, sparking widespread speculation about his health.
Prince William doing what the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, and the Prime Minister of the UK could not do:
Greet and Sit down with President elect Trump, in a meeting to discuss UK/US relations in the future
The… pic.twitter.com/M13agHD4iU — Canellecitadelle (@Canellelabelle) December 7, 2024
Trump also praised Prince William's appearance, describing him as "very handsome" and "a good-looking guy." He added, "We had a great talk. He's a fantastic person and doing a wonderful job."
Princess Kate, like her father-in-law, faced a cancer diagnosis this year. In March, she announced her condition and subsequently scaled back her royal duties to focus on treatment. By September, Kate confirmed she had completed chemotherapy, marking a significant milestone in her recovery.
The Princess of Wales made a triumphant return to public life during her annual Together at Christmas carol service on December 6 at Westminster Abbey. Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, she shared, "I didn't know this year was going to be the year that I've just had. The unplanned, exactly. But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times."
The event brought the royal family together, with Prince William, Kate, and their children-Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6-making a rare public appearance as a family. However, King Charles and Queen Camilla were notably absent. Royal sources suggested the senior royals' attendance might have overshadowed Kate's moment, though Camilla's recent recovery from a chest infection was also a factor.
Despite his health challenges, King Charles has maintained a visible presence when possible, including a visit to a cancer treatment center in April. During the visit, Charles acknowledged the emotional toll of his diagnosis, telling a patient, "It's always a bit of a shock, isn't it, when they tell you?"
The king has continued to represent the monarchy on the global stage. In October, he and Queen Camilla undertook an official 11-day visit to Australia and Samoa. More recently, Charles hosted the emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace, showcasing his dedication to fulfilling his royal duties.
Trump's remarks have reignited interest in the health of the British royals, particularly Charles' resilience. A royal source told ABC News that Trump's comments likely referred to Charles' courage in remaining active despite his illness, adding that the monarch's focus remains on service and leadership.
