Prince William reportedly hoped to scale back his royal duties in 2024 but was persuaded by his ailing father, King Charles III, to reconsider, according to a new book.
The revelation comes from royal biographer Robert Jobson’s The Windsor Legacy, obtained exclusively by the U.K.’s Daily Mail.
Jobson wrote that the Prince of Wales was “shaken to the core” after learning of the cancer diagnoses affecting both his father and his wife, Kate Middleton. Despite his request to reduce his workload, the King is said to have refused.
Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment, while a Buckingham Palace spokesperson reiterated to the outlet, “We don’t comment on books.”
The author added that both William and Kate “became more religious” as they quietly navigated an emotionally challenging year.
“Never known as a regular worshipper, William now attends church more frequently than before, though as privately as possible,” Jobson noted.
Several royal commentators also told Fox News Digital that 2024 proved to be one of William’s most difficult years—balancing his growing responsibilities as heir to the throne with supporting his father, his wife, and their three young children.
Royal biographer Robert Jobson claims that Prince William considered scaling back his royal duties in 2024 but was encouraged by King Charles to “think again” amid a year marked by family health challenges.
“It proved to take a toll on him,” said British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard, describing the year as “brutal” for the 43-year-old prince.
“He struggled to keep everything on track,” Chard explained. “The fact that he approached his father about his workload showed both strength and compassion. He needed a moment to recharge so he could give his best to the monarchy. He deserves credit for his honesty and self-awareness in recognizing that.”
Jobson’s book also reveals that King Charles had been “typically stoical about his mounting levels of pain” prior to his cancer diagnosis. A senior royal source told the author that the King’s condition “had worsened so dramatically” that medical intervention was urgently required.
“He struggled to keep everything on track,” said British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard. “The fact that he spoke to his father about his workload showed both strength and compassion.”
According to Robert Jobson, “The king was given morphine, one of the strongest painkillers available, fitted with a catheter, and taken to Aberdeen Hospital. The cancer, however, was not discovered until a few months later, in January last year, while doctors were treating him for an enlarged prostate.”
In early February 2024, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and had begun treatment. The palace noted that “a separate issue of concern was identified” during his care for the prostate condition.
Just weeks later, in March 2024, Kate Middleton announced that she, too, had been diagnosed with cancer—a development Jobson described as a “malign twist of fate” for Prince William.
Buckingham Palace announced in 2024 that King Charles had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Prince William’s wish to scale back his official engagements stemmed largely from the immense personal and emotional pressures he was facing.
“William’s desire to reduce engagements was really about the strains he was managing — supporting Princess Catherine through her health challenges, meeting the emotional needs of his young children, and fulfilling his duties as heir to the throne,” Fordwich explained.
“Everything he does is in service to others. Given his strong sense of duty, it’s one of the reasons he continues to rank so highly in popularity polls here in the U.K.,” she added.
Fordwich also noted that William is “deeply committed to protecting his family while modernizing the monarchy.” She said he is aware that “the future of the monarchy depends on his approval ratings,” which has placed him under significant pressure and contributed to his mounting stress.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich said Prince William’s wish to reduce his royal engagements stemmed from his desire to support Princess Catherine during her cancer treatment.
According to biographer Robert Jobson, while there is “an underlying tension” between William and King Charles regarding their differing work ethics and attitudes toward tradition, the two “generally work well together.”
“The king happily consults him and largely trusts him to do what is right,” Jobson wrote. However, he added that their similar tempers can sometimes make collaboration difficult. “Both have a fiery temper that’s not always held in check,” he noted, with palace staff describing working for Charles as being “like treading on eggshells.”
Jobson also wrote that aides around William are careful when approaching him about delicate matters, saying they know “to tread lightly around the prince, mindful of his mood swings before attempting to raise sensitive issues.”
Commentator Helena Chard added that, despite their differences, William and his father “are on the same page.” She described the Prince of Wales as “decisive and resolute,” noting that he “doesn’t suffer from analysis paralysis or tolerate inefficiency.”
“There’s no overthinking or kid gloves when initiating change,” Chard said. “He has a can-do, hands-on, collaborative approach to his work. He’s skilled at motivating his team and inspiring optimism. And as heir to the throne, he knows he has a long road of responsibility ahead.”
In September 2024, Princess Kate announced in a polished video filmed in Norfolk that she had successfully completed chemotherapy.
While Prince William and King Charles “are on the same page,” the prince tends to take “a harder line than his father,” according to broadcaster and royal commentator Helena Chard.
A senior household source told Robert Jobson that although Queen Camilla was “deeply relieved” by Princess Kate’s recovery update, she lightheartedly remarked that the video was “like a shampoo commercial.”
Kate announced she was in remission from cancer in January of this year.
Jobson also revealed that William has encouraged his father to slow down and follow medical advice as the 76-year-old monarch continues treatment. Palace aides told the author that the royal household has grown “more emotional” in recent months, with King Charles reportedly moved to tears by the overwhelming number of letters and messages of support he has received from around the world.
“Charles now takes regular afternoon naps,” Jobson wrote. “And he’s started having lunch again — often spinach soup — after skipping the meal for most of his life.”
“Charles now takes regular afternoon naps,” Robert Jobson wrote in his book. “And he’s started having lunch again — often spinach soup — after skipping the meal for most of his life.”
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich said Prince William’s focus remains firmly on securing the monarchy’s future.
“Prince William is determined to steer clear of scandals and bury the controversies that have distracted from public service,” Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “He’s intent on making a clean break from his disgraced uncle, Prince Andrew. William is steadfast and strategic in everything he does, ensuring the monarchy’s long-term survival.”
During an appearance on Eugene Levy’s travel series The Reluctant Traveler, William acknowledged that 2024 had been the most difficult year of his life.
“I’d say 2024 was the hardest year I’ve ever had,” he said. “Life is sent to test us, and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are.”
In November 2024, while in South Africa for his Earthshot Prize event, the prince reflected on the toll the year had taken on his family.
“It’s been dreadful — probably the hardest year of my life,” he admitted. “Trying to manage everything and keep it all on track has been incredibly difficult. But I’m so proud of my wife and my father for how they’ve handled everything. From a personal family point of view, it’s been… yeah, it’s been brutal.”
