During a recent Earthshot Prize event in Cape Town, Prince William shared a candid moment about his daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her initial reaction to his beard.
The light-hearted story revealed that when Charlotte first laid eyes on her father’s facial hair, it didn’t go over well.
In fact, it led to a flood of tears.
Laughing, William recounted how he felt compelled to shave it off quickly to ease her distress.
However, after some time, he decided to grow the beard back.
This time, with a little convincing, Charlotte warmed up to the idea and eventually accepted the change.
The Earthshot Prize, which William launched in 2020, aims to tackle environmental issues, and it has become a significant aspect of his royal responsibilities.
Each year, five winners are awarded $1.3 million to support their eco-friendly initiatives.
While many attendees at the event remarked on how relaxed William appeared with his new look, he was quick to dispel that notion.
“It’s interesting you say that because I couldn’t be less relaxed this year,” he admitted, shedding light on the stress and challenges he has faced over the past year.
William emphasized the importance of perseverance amidst pressure, stating, “It’s more a case of just crack on and keep going.” Balancing royal duties with family time is something he takes seriously, and he prides himself on managing both aspects effectively despite the difficulties.
As the conversation shifted, William opened up about the personal struggles his family has encountered, particularly the health crises affecting King Charles and Princess Kate.
He described the past year as potentially the hardest of his life, marked by the emotional weight of these diagnoses.
“It’s been dreadful,” he said, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining strength for his family during such trying times.
King Charles, now 75, received a cancer diagnosis in February, while Princess Kate revealed her own diagnosis in March, shortly after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Kate has expressed the difficulty of explaining these health challenges to their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
In a heartfelt video statement, she discussed the importance of reassuring her kids while conveying her determination to overcome her illness.
In September, Kate announced she had successfully completed her chemotherapy treatment, focusing on remaining cancer-free.
While William traveled to South Africa, Kate chose to stay home, prioritizing her recovery and caring for their three children.
During the Cape Town event, William provided an update on Kate’s health, reassuring everyone that she is doing well.
“She’s doing really well, thanks,” he said, hoping she was watching and cheering him on from afar.
His pride in her strength shone through as he called her amazing, acknowledging the resilience she has shown throughout their family’s trials.
Although Kate plans to attend the National Service of Remembrance in London on November 10, she decided to remain at home during William’s South African tour.
William expressed gratitude for Kate’s unwavering support, especially as she navigates her own health journey while being there for their family.
Her determination has not only inspired William but also reinforced the bond they share as a family.
As they face these challenges together, the Prince remains hopeful for brighter days ahead, looking forward to seeing Kate continue to thrive in her recovery.