After going through what Prince William has described as a ‘brutal’ year together, Kate and the Prince of Wales have started ‘talking about their relationship’ a new report has claimed

Prince William left royal watchers in awe when he very candidly admitted just how “brutal” last year was for his family.

When post-operative tests showed that Kate had cancer early last year, she was forced to take an extended break from public life, focussing instead on her health and her three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

Kate tentatively returned to the public eye when she attended Trooping the Colour – King Charles’ official birthday parade – and in September 2024 she announced she had completed chemotherapy and would be slowly easing back into more engagements, with her primary focus remaining on her recovery.

She then attended the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph along with the other senior royals and then hosted her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey during the festive period. But it was only last week that she attended her first solo engagement in over a year – and it was an emotional day that saw the future Queen return to the Royal Marsden Hospital where she received her own chemotherapy.

That same day Kate announced that her cancer is in “remission” in an emotional post expressing her gratitude for the medical team who took care of her and the support she had received during the difficult period.

While Kate remained out of the public eye for much of the last year, William was forced into something of a balancing act as he continued his royal duties. This included his major project Homewards, which aims to end homelessness in the UK within five years – with his responsibilities to his family, all whilst his father King Charles was also undergoing cancer treatment.

Despite these major personal challenges, in what William called “probably the hardest year in my life” the couple have only become closer over the last year, a new report has claimed. Sources speaking to People magazine have said that the couple are now spending time discussing their relationship after their shared challenges.

The couple – who have been together since they were undergraduates at the University of St. Andrews, and have been married for nearly 14 years – are “more open” these days, the source claimed. Kate and William “talk about their relationship together,” the source said, adding: “For the princess, family — her husband and­ children — are more important than anything else.”

Kate and William have certainly been more candid about their affection for each other in recent months. When Kate announced she had completed her chemotherapy it was accompanied by a sweet video that featured a montage of clips of the Wales family spending time together, including some PDA from William and Kate.

Equally, for Kate’s 43rd birthday on 9 January, William posted a sweet tribute to his long-term partner on social media, writing: “To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you, W.”

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