By Anna Pointer

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Protecting the wellbeing of their children has always been William and Kate’ s biggest priority, but guiding the three youngsters through a frightening family crisis has given whole new meaning to their role as parents. “It surely doesn’t get much more difficult than explaining you have cancer to your children,” says royal broadcaster and author Duncan Larcombe. “But you get the impression William and Kate have handled it really well. They are so hands-on and nothing seems strained or awkward with their kids. All three are clearly hugely loved and well-balanced, and they are a real credit to their parents.” According to insiders, Kate didn’t always intend to share the news with the world – or even with her children – quite so soon. But mounting online speculation and conspiracy theories left her with, as one royal expert put it, no other option. “There was so much online speculation and conspiracy theories about her, so she had no choice,” royal commentator Katie Nicholl tells the latest OK! Royal Special . “I think it forced her into announcing it before she was ready, at a time when she was trying to come to terms with the most devastating news any of us can get.” In Kate’s sombre video announcing she had cancer last March, she said, “It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.” “I’m sure little Louis was too young to understand how serious it was, and Kate probably wanted to shield the children for longer,” Katie adds. As Katie stresses, Kate not only had to cope with the private anguish at home, but also face the entire world at a time when she was extremely fragile. “One of the things we saw was her vulnerability in all of this,” she says. “I really felt for her, because while the royals are role models and the most famous people on the planet, they’re also human beings with normal feelings and emotions.” As well as broaching tricky discussions about her own illness, she and William had the daunting task of informing George, Charlotte and Louis about King Charles ’ cancer, too. “It was no doubt very hard, but they clearly managed to keep things as normal as possible at home,” adds Katie. With that in mind, school, homework and sports clubs continued, and William made a point of taking the children to fun events while Kate rested. “Whether that was going to football matches with George or taking him and Charlotte to see Taylor Swift , he made a big effort to keep them occupied and distract them from the difficult situation, at a time when they would have been very worried about their mum.” In April, William and George’s father-son bond was evident when they went to France to watch Aston Villa play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter finals. Although their team lost on the night, William said, “I thought, ‘It’s been 43 years since anything like this has happened in my generation as a Villa fan, and I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition.” Adding, “I hope it’s not 43 years until the next time it happens, but I think those memories are important to create, and to bring him along tonight is a big deal for me.” The pair have also been seen at cricket and rugby games, and Katie says, “I’m sure these shared experiences have been very grounding for them both.” More recently, William took Charlotte to Switzerland to watch the Lionesses take on Spain in the Women’s Euro 2025 final in July. Dad and daughter were pictured looking tense in the stands as the game went to a dreaded penalty shoot-out, although both were jubilant when England clinched victory. Kate’s close relationship with Charlotte was also clear to see at Wimbledon earlier in the summer. On a blisteringly hot day, the young Princess was seen gently fanning her mum as the sun beat down on the royal box. Over the past few months, there have been plenty of treats for the whole family, too. The five reportedly went to the Alps for a secret New Year ski trip, with other members of the Middleton family. Then during February half term, they jetted to Mustique for some relaxation and sunshine. The Caribbean island was the late Princess Margaret’s favourite hideaway, and is popular with A-listers like Kate Moss, Paul McCartney and Sir Mick Jagger. The trip coincided with Carole Middleton’s 70th birthday, and it’s thought they returned to the luxurious Villa Antilles, where they stayed in 2019. Owned by William’s friend Andrew Dunn, the villa costs an eye-watering £33,000 per week, and comes with an infinity pool, Jacuzzi and multiple terraces overlooking the sea, plus a butler, private chef and housekeeper. Closer to home, the family spent Easter and the summer holidays at their beloved Amner Hall on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. “Anmer has been such a place of refuge for them,” says Duncan. “I think it probably saved them during lockdown, and it’s somewhere they can just go and be normal as a family, because that’s what they need.” In the video Kate released last September, in which she revealed she had finished chemotherapy, viewers saw clips of the family tramping through woods, picnicking and playing in the sand dunes nearby. Kate spends quality time with the children at home, too, and Louis is said to share many hobbies with her, including gardening , baking and photography – as seen in February when he took a picture of her in a forest to mark World Cancer Day. Kate and William also ensure the children muck in with chores, with a source saying last year, “It would surprise people how ordinary things are at home. The children help set the table, clear their plates and tidy up. There is no special treatment.” They help with cooking, too, with favourites including homemade pizza, curries and teriyaki salmon. After so many ups and downs over the past 18 months, Kate summed up the importance of family unity in last year’s video. “This time has, above all, reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted,” she said. “Of simply loving and being loved.”