The weight of a national health crisis, compounded by personal tragedy, has profoundly impacted the Prince and Princess of Wales. A new biography, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story by Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, reveals the deeply personal toll taken on Prince William following the cancer diagnoses of both his wife, Kate, and his father, King Charles, in early 2024. The book details William’s immediate reaction to Kate’s diagnosis, describing a state of “disbelief” and a feeling that “everything changed” in an instant.
According to sources close to the Prince, the news was delivered to their three children – Prince George, then 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, five – with careful composure. William and Kate reportedly told their children that “mummy was ill, but that she was going to be okay.” This attempt to shield their children from the full gravity of the situation came after William confided to friends that the experience felt “like being hit by a bus,” a moment described as “sudden, brutal, and completely disorienting.”
The biography offers a glimpse into the Prince’s internal struggle, revealing his sense of helplessness as he navigated the unfolding crisis. A friend of William’s described witnessing “heartbreak, fear and helplessness all at once,” noting the visible impact on the Prince’s demeanor. Despite the emotional turmoil, William remained steadfast in his support of Kate, described by those close to him as his “world.”
The book also highlights the couple’s efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy for their children amidst the chaos. William reportedly took on additional domestic responsibilities, including cooking dinner and arranging playdates, while Kate focused on preparing a personal statement to address the nation. This statement, crafted with the assistance of her sister Pippa, marked a pivotal moment in the public’s understanding of her health battle.
Beyond the immediate emotional impact, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story delves into Kate’s approach to treatment, revealing her exploration of “natural healing” alongside conventional medical care. The Princess reportedly studied an ancient Japanese ritual as part of her holistic approach to recovery.
The biography arrives following a period of intense scrutiny for the Royal Family. The book details a security breach at the London Clinic where Kate received treatment, with a criminal investigation launched after allegations that staff attempted to access her private medical records. While the incident garnered international attention, the Princess herself remained focused on her health and family, preparing for the challenges ahead.
The publication of this biography also comes after revelations regarding Prince Andrew’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which prompted William to demand his uncle’s banishment from royal duties. According to the book, William believed that allowing Andrew to remain involved would allow “the rot [to] set in,” a sentiment that ultimately prevailed, though not without tension with King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Russell Myers’s work aims to provide a comprehensive account of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s lives, from their early days as students at St Andrews University to the present day. The book explores the couple’s resilience in the face of adversity, including the controversies surrounding their 2022 Caribbean tour and the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from royal life. It also examines the evolution of the “Cambridge way” – the Prince and Princess’s approach to modernizing the monarchy – and the impact of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Myers emphasizes the couple’s dedication to shaping the future of the monarchy, even amidst personal challenges. He notes that the diagnoses of both Kate and Charles created an “unprecedented period in modern royal history,” but that the experience has ultimately strengthened their resolve.
William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story is positioned as a definitive account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, offering unprecedented access and insight into their lives. The book is available for pre-order now and will be published on by Ebury, Penguin Random House.
