Prince William told Brazilian host Luciano Huck that he and Kate chose to be open with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis about the Princess's cancer diagnosis, finding honesty more effective than concealment. He said family conversations help prevent anxiety from unanswered questions and acknowledged the trade-offs of sharing. The Princess of Wales later announced her cancer was in remission and is focused on recovery. William also called 2024 the "hardest year" he has experienced.
Prince William: "Hiding Stuff Doesn't Work" — He and Kate Chose Honesty with Their Children During Her Cancer Battle
Prince William told Brazilian host Luciano Huck that he and Kate chose to be open with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis about the Princess's cancer diagnosis, finding honesty more effective than concealment. He said family conversations help prevent anxiety from unanswered questions and acknowledged the trade-offs of sharing. The Princess of Wales later announced her cancer was in remission and is focused on recovery. William also called 2024 the "hardest year" he has experienced.
04:11 AM, 11/11/2025Culture
Prince William on parenting through illness: honesty over concealment
Prince William has opened up about how he and Catherine, Princess of Wales, decided to be candid with their three children after the Princess's cancer diagnosis. Speaking with Brazilian host Luciano Huck, the Prince of Wales said the family found that being honest — even when difficult — worked better than trying to shield Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis from the truth.
"Now, that has its good things and its bad things. Sometimes you feel you’re oversharing with the children you probably shouldn’t," William said. "But most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn’t work."
William, 43, was speaking from Rio de Janeiro, where he had been attending events to mark the fifth anniversary of the Earthshot Prize and the United Nations Climate Summit (COP30). He explained that family conversations make space for different feelings and perspectives so the children are less likely to feel anxious about unanswered questions.
"There’s a lot more questions when there’s no answers," he added, stressing the importance of open dialogue during uncertain times.
Context and personal reflections
The Princess of Wales revealed in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy after a period away from public duties. She later announced that her cancer was in remission and said she felt a sense of "relief" while remaining focused on recovery.
William also reflected on the broader emotional toll the period has taken. In a separate September appearance on Apple TV+ series "The Reluctant Traveler," speaking with actor Eugene Levy, he described 2024 as "the hardest year I’ve ever had," saying such challenges test us and help shape who we become.
This candor from the Prince highlights a modern parenting approach within a family accustomed to public scrutiny: prioritizing age-appropriate honesty and emotional openness so children can process difficult situations rather than be left anxious by secrecy.