UNITED FRONT

The Prince and Princess of Wales make a winning team as they balance family time with their increasingly public roles

- REPORT: CATHERINE OLIVE.

In 2024, the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis forced her to tread uncertain terrain. But in 2025, she and the Prince, both 43, proved that they had not only crossed that territory, but also brought their relationship, their family and their royal roles on to even more solid ground.

As William said in an interview with Luciano Huck, the host of The Earthshot Prize Awards, in November: “Every family goes through difficult times and faces challenges together. How you deal with those moments makes all the difference.”

The couple's winning formula was – as it has always been – to give each other unconditional support and their three children the security of knowing that, come what may, their parents will put their wellbeing first.

As Kate recovered from her illness, she returned to public life, but in a measured way. She appeared, as radiant as ever, at major state events – the Commonwealth Day service, Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday – but took care not to compromise her recuperation or the time she was able to spend with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven.

The Princess also focused her energies where she felt they could do the most good: she chose to forgo Royal Ascot in June, but headed to Colchester Hospital in early July to meet cancer patients and staff.

It was while talking to them that she gave an insight into how she was feeling. Describing the post-treatment phase as “a rollercoaster”, she added: “You have to find a new normal, and that takes time.”