Inside Their Sweet Bond

Learn how the Prince of Wales' only daughter has helped him cope amid a "brutal" year for Britain's royal family!

This year has been absolutely "dreadful" for Prince William. In a new interview with Britain's The Times, released on Nov. 10, the future king got uncharacteristically personal about both Princess Kate and King Charles III being diagnosed with cancer in 2024. "It's probably been the hardest year in my life.... Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult," he confessed. "I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been brutal."

There's been some good news in recent months: Kate completed chemotherapy in September, and Charles, though still undergoing treatment, was well enough to carry out an official royal tour of Australia and Samoa in October. As their family continues to navigate the unknown twists and turns of the pair's health crisis, William's looked to his children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6- when he needs inspiration to carry on. "William loves his sons. They give him so much joy. Charlotte lifts his spirits in a whole different way, though," says a source, explaining that the daughter William sweetly calls "Mignonette" - a French term of endearment that means little darling or cutie - has been an especially bright light during this challenging year. "They have a truly special bond that's only been strengthened by the royals' recent adversities."

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