Prince William recently marked his 43rd birthday, and the Princess of Wales took to Instagram to share a sweet tribute.
Kate posted a charming photo of William playing with three lively cocker spaniel puppies. The caption read: “Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!”—a nod to herself, their children George, Charlotte, Louis, their family dog Orla, and the newest furry additions.
The post quickly gained traction, pulling in over 460,000 likes in less than half a day and prompting a flood of warm messages from fans.
One user wrote, “Happy Birthday! I see you’ve got the greatest gift already – the love of your family – and your pups.” Another added, “Wishing you a Very Happy Birthday Prince William, rock on with our love from the whole team.”
Many also acknowledged the emotional weight of the past year, with comments like, “You did amazing. This year must’ve been really tough on you.”
A Year of Personal Struggles for the Royals
Prince William himself called 2024 a “dreadful” year during an interview with E! News, citing numerous personal and family health challenges. Early that year, Kate underwent abdominal surgery. Initially, the palace emphasized it was unrelated to cancer. But two months after her hospital stay, Kate revealed in a recorded message that she had, in fact, been diagnosed with cancer.
“This of course came as a huge shock,” she said, “and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” a statement later shared by the BBC.
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King Charles’ Diagnosis Adds to the Turmoil
Just as the family was absorbing the news of Kate’s diagnosis, another blow followed: in February 2024, King Charles III announced he too had cancer. This came barely 17 months into his reign. Though he confirmed the illness was treatable, the specific type and location remained undisclosed.
Nevertheless, the King remained optimistic. “He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible,” a palace update read. The seriousness of the diagnosis even prompted Prince Harry to return briefly to the UK despite ongoing tensions within the family.
William Reflects on a Difficult Year
Speaking candidly in his November 2024 interview, Prince William said, “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.” He admitted, “Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult,” but added, “I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done.”
At the time, observers noted that Kate appeared healthier, having regained lost weight and resumed her royal duties. Her public appearances, including the recent birthday celebration for William, suggested a return to more stable ground.
Kate’s Birthday Tribute Earlier This Year
William’s own heartfelt message to Kate on her birthday in January also drew praise. On her 43rd birthday, he wrote: “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.”
That message, too, received a wave of support from fans, moved by the resilience and unity of the couple during such a challenging time.