A former aide to the Prince of Wales has revealed that Prince William was at his “lowest” after the Princess of Wales was diagnosed with cancer. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Jason Knauf, the former chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation, shared how devastating the news was for the prince.
“It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen him,” Knauf said. “Within a couple of weeks, if you’re Prince William, you find out that both your wife and your father have cancer. I couldn’t believe it.”
Both King Charles III and Princess Catherine were diagnosed with cancer last year. While Catherine is now in remission, the King continues to receive treatment. The double diagnosis left Prince William dealing with immense personal and public pressure, as he was forced to balance his royal duties while ensuring the well-being of his immediate family.
According to sources close to the royal family, Prince William has always been protective of his loved ones, and this challenging period only reinforced his deep sense of responsibility. Despite his private struggles, he maintained his composure in public and carried on with his obligations.
Why Did the Royal Family Delay Announcing Kate’s Illness?
Catherine’s diagnosis was made public in March last year, but Knauf explained that the family initially chose to keep the information private.
“The problem was that all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off in the background, online. ‘Was she really ill?’ But they didn’t want to say yet that she had cancer because they hadn’t told the children and they were still working through how to tell the children.”
Prince William, 42, spoke about how he has coped with these challenges, describing the past year as the “hardest” of his life. At the end of his visit to South Africa last year, he told reporters, “It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
Insiders say the couple spent time carefully considering how to break the news to their young children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, ensuring they could process the information in a way that wouldn’t overwhelm them.
The delay also allowed Catherine to begin her treatment away from the public eye, giving her a sense of normalcy before the media frenzy inevitably followed the announcement.
What Was Jason Knauf’s Role in the Royal Household?
Knauf, 43, stepped down from his role as chief executive of the Royal Foundation at the end of 2021. Before taking on that position, he worked as the communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. His tenure in the royal household also included roles in the office of the New Zealand prime minister, HM Treasury, and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
From March 2019, he led a review of the Royal Foundation’s role and structure before becoming its chief executive in September that year. One of his significant achievements was overseeing the launch of the Earthshot Prize, a £50 million environmental initiative created by Prince William to reward innovative solutions for environmental challenges.
The Earthshot Prize has since grown into a globally recognized initiative, helping to fund and highlight projects focused on environmental sustainability. It has also become one of Prince William’s most significant contributions to the royal family’s philanthropic legacy.
Knauf’s ability to manage large-scale projects and work closely with senior royals made him a key figure within the institution, and his departure marked the end of a transformative period for the Royal Foundation.
How Has Prince William’s Relationship with Harry Been Affected?
Knauf also addressed the widely speculated tension between Prince William and Prince Harry. While he refrained from sharing private details, he acknowledged that the situation has been painful.
“It’s very difficult to have this stuff play out in the public eye, but he’s chosen to keep his thoughts on it private, and I think all of us who know him really have to respect that we should do the same. But I will say, of course, it’s been hard and sad, especially for all of us who know both of them. I worked really closely with the two of them, and we had lots of great times.”
The rift between the brothers has been widely covered in the media, particularly after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Reports suggest that the relationship between the brothers has not fully healed, with William maintaining his stance of keeping family matters private while Harry has been more open about their strained dynamic.
Despite the tensions, there have been occasional signs of reconciliation, with sources indicating that William still cares deeply for his brother but remains cautious about rekindling their former closeness.
What Was the Allegation Against Meghan Markle?
Knauf previously made headlines in October 2018 when, while working as communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, he filed a bullying complaint against Meghan Markle. He wrote to Prince William’s then-private secretary about his concerns, reportedly in an effort to protect palace staff. Meghan’s legal team strongly denied the allegations.
The allegations led to an internal investigation by Buckingham Palace, but the details were never publicly disclosed. The issue added to the already strained relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry, as the latter firmly stood by his wife.
Knauf has also expressed regret over not testifying in Meghan Markle’s High Court case against The Mail on Sunday’s publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited. Meghan won her privacy case in 2021 when the court ruled that the publication of her personal letter to her father, written in August 2018, was unlawful.
What Honors Has Jason Knauf Received?
Knauf was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in the 2023 New Year Honours List, a recognition of his contributions to the royal household. His extensive experience in corporate affairs and public service has cemented his influence within the institution.
Despite stepping away from royal duties, his insights provide a rare glimpse into the private struggles of Prince William and the royal family as they navigate an immensely challenging period.
How Has Prince William Managed His Public and Private Roles?
Balancing royal responsibilities with personal turmoil has been an ongoing challenge for Prince William. As a future king, he is expected to maintain a composed and dutiful image, yet his personal struggles have tested his resilience.
Friends and aides describe Prince William as deeply committed to his role and his family, often prioritizing their well-being over his own emotional needs. While he has continued to carry out public engagements, sources say he has relied heavily on close friends and advisors for support.
With Catherine now in remission and King Charles still undergoing treatment, Prince William has slowly begun to shift his focus back to long-term royal projects, including his environmental initiatives and mental health advocacy.
His ability to navigate this difficult chapter with grace and responsibility has only strengthened his reputation as a leader within the royal family, setting the tone for his eventual transition to the throne.
