Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales speak with members of the Emergency Services during a visit to Southport Community Centre on Oct. 10, 2024 in Southport, England.Photo:Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty
Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty
As his schedule is being planned for the coming year, William, 42, is looking ahead to what might be possible for them. On Sept. 9, following around six months of cancer treatment, Kate, 42, announced in an intimate family video that shehad completed chemotherapy.
The prince — who has just completed abusy week in Cape Town, South Africa, — said, “Hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”
Kate appeared alongside William andKing Charlesat the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 9, and there is every expectation that she’ll also be at the ceremony at The Cenotaph in London, where respects are paid to Britain’s war dead, on Nov. 10 for Remembrance Sunday.
One visit that appears to be on the cards for William is to South America next fall. He will be at next year’sUN Climate Change Conference, following in the footsteps of his father, King Charles, in taking part in the conference.
Prince William, Prince of Wales attends Earthshot+ at Portside Tower on Nov. 5, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty
Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty
With or without Princess Kate, when Prince William does step out next year, he’ll do so in his own manner, he vowed.
“I’m trying to do it differently, and I’m trying to do it for my generation,” William said while in Cape Town. “I’m doing it with maybe a smaller ‘r’ in the royal, if you like. It’s more about impact, philanthropy, collaboration, convening and helping people.”
Prince William, Prince of Wales onboard the NSRI Lifeboat “Donna Nicholas” to meet with volunteers of the National Seas Rescue Institute during a visit to Simonâs Town Harbour on Nov. 7, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
“I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well, because I really care about what I do. It helps impact people’s lives. I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world,” he added.
“So that’s what I’m trying to bring, what Catherine is trying to bring as well,” the Prince of Wales said.
After what William said has been a “brutal” year as both his wife and father faced cancer, there was a lightness to his step, as if the pressure of those serious illnesses has lifted somewhat.
Prince William, Prince of Wales attends the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Program on Nov. 4, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.Chris Jackson/Getty
“She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised that I’d wear it and try not to lose while I was out here," he saidin another interviewwhile in South Africa last week.Speaking as his week promoting hisEarthshot Prize Awardscame to an end — andafter his documentary highlighting the first yearof his Homewards project to help the unhoused aired — “who knows what’s going to come next," William said. “It all centers around those values of trying to help deliver change for and make those lives better.”
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
One day his childrenPrince George, 11,, Princess Charlotte, 9, andPrince Louis, 6, will join him and Kate in more public duties. That’s for the future, though.
“Obviously, they’re at school, and I think that’s takes priority over everything else,” Prince William said of his three children.
source: people.com