After a turbulent year for the royal family saw both King Charles and Princess Kate battle with cancer, Prince William has stepped up as their “new rock” according to a royal biographer.
Speaking in a piece for The Independent published on Dec. 28, Dr. Tessa Dunlop said that the Prince of Wales, 42, is “a reincarnation of his late grandmother” and deemed him a “steadfast anchor who changed it up with designer stubble,” in a direct reference to his bristly new look in the latter half of 2024. Discussing how “the nation fell in love with Princess Diana’s firstborn all over again”, Tessa went on to add that “Naysayers who doubted William’s mettle have been forced to rethink,” after seeing how well he adapted to such a gruelling and emotionally draining year.
Describing the past year as “brutal”, Prince William himself acknowledged that things had been difficult in November 2024 when he attended the Earshot Prize Awards in South Africa. “It’s been dreadful,” he candidly admitted. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
Prince William previously admitted that 2024 had been the hardest year of his life ( Image: PA)
Yet despite the difficult year there was a glimmer of hope that 2025 will be far less gruelling, as Princess Kate has now finished her treatment for cancer and seems to be well on the mend. King Charles has also been given the go-ahead to resume his usual duties, with more foreign travel now seemingly on the cards for the year ahead.
Public support for the royals has also strengthened, with Tessa previously remarking last year: “Without doubt, the rebirth of the Waleses as the country’s number one couple has moved our monarchy into a new space,” she wrote. “These days they appear to be a double act, even when apart.”
This was particularly apt during William’s steadfast support of his wife during her ill health, as he made sure that “Kate has not walked alone,” through the understandably worrying time.
After a difficult year, Prince William is now keen to focus on the future with his wife Kate ( Image: Getty Images)
Reflecting on what his own future looks like at the Earthshot Prize Awards, the future King also went on to discuss how he sees his royal role having become the heir to the throne, which in itself comes with a considerable amount of responsibility.
“It’s a tricky one,” he admitted. “Do I like more responsibility? No. Do I like the freedom that I can build something like Earthshot? Then yes. And that’s the future for me.”
William added, “It’s very important, with my role and my platform, that I’m doing something for good. That I’m helping people’s lives and I’m doing something that is genuinely meaningful. So, the Earthshot is a culmination, if you like, of all that put together.”
