Topics: Prince William, King Charles III, Kate Middleton, Cancer, Health, Royal Family, UK News
Almost a year on from the day Kate Middleton announced she'd been diagnosed with cancer, Prince William's former aid has reflected on the 'awful' phone call he had following the news.
Jason Knauf - who worked for the Wales' until 2021 - appeared on 60 Minutes Australia on Sunday (23 February), reflecting on Kate's diagnosis and the way William composed himself throughout.
According to the former Kensington Palace staff member, 42-year-old William learned of his wife's ill health and his father's (King Charles III) own cancer diagnosis 'within a couple weeks'.
In February of last year, Buckingham Palace announced that the 76-year-old King had been diagnosed with the disease in a statement that read: "During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted.
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"Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer."
One month later - following mass concern for her whereabouts after she remained out of the public eye for several months - Kate, 43, revealed she, too, was undergoing treatment for cancer.
"It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful," she said in an emotional statement at the time.
Naturally, many royal spectators were left concerned about the impact that his family's health may have had on William.
"If you're Prince William, you find out that both your wife and your father have cancer..." Knauf reflected during the interview.
"I mean, I couldn't believe it."
Speaking about the phone call between him and William following Kate's diagnosis, the former aide said: "It was awful, absolutely awful.
"It's the lowest I've ever seen him."
Knauf continued: "But the problem was that all this crazy, sort-of conspiracy theory stuff kicked off in the background online - 'Was she really ill?'.
"But they didn't want to say yet that she had cancer because they hadn't told the children and were still working through how to tell the children."
In September, Kate provided an update, revealing that she'd concluded with chemotherapy and that she was slowly returning to her royal duties.
Speaking at the Earthshot Prize Award rehearsals in Cape Town two months later, William described his wife as 'amazing' while lifting the lid on the success of her treatment.
"She's doing really well thanks," he said. "Hopefully she's watching tonight and cheering me on."
And in January, during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, Kate confirmed that her cancer was now in remission.
"I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year," she gushed.
"My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything."
Kate added: "We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional."
Sadly, however, the same celebration cannot yet be had for King Charles, with Palace officials stating in December that his 'treatment has been moving in a positive direction and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year'.
The message went on to add: "There is a sense of optimism, which can be seen in the King's desire to keep up a busy schedule of public engagements, including during the festive period."
It hasn't been confirmed which type of cancer the King was diagnosed with.
Tyla has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
