KATE TO SEE YOU..

Wills optimistic Princess will join him on trips again soon

- RUSSEL MYERS

PRINCE William is looking forward to the Princess of Wales being well enough to join him on royal tours again in the new year.

The Prince has described his "brutal" year with both Kate and his father the King diagnosed with cancer.

Wills, 42, said: "I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we'll have some more trips maybe lined up".

His optimistic words follow a triumphant trip to South Africa, where he hosted his Earthshot Prize environmental awards.

In a wide-ranging interview with the UK media in Cape Town, William said he wants his role to evolve, with a focus on helping people.

He discussed his desire to work on ambitious projects, including his landmark homelessness project launched last year, and Earthshot.

In 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth broadcast a speech from Cape Town on her 21st birthday dedicating her life to the service of the Commonwealth. Asked about the parallels of being in the same city, William gave an insight into developing a modern monarchy.