Prince William has spoken warmly and publicly about his wife Princess Catherine, saying the family simply would not function without her as she continues her gradual return to royal duties following her cancer treatment.
Speaking to Heart Radio’s breakfast show during a visit to the Isles of Scilly on Friday, the Prince of Wales described Catherine as the glue holding the family together and said he felt enormous pride watching her complete her first official overseas trip since her diagnosis.
“She’s an amazing mum, an amazing wife, and literally our family couldn’t cope without her,” William said.
Catherine’s Return to International Duties
The trip William was referring to was a visit to Reggio Emilia in Italy, where Catherine traveled to promote the importance of early years education. The Italian city was specifically chosen for its longstanding commitment to children’s development in their earliest years, with a particular focus on early relationships and learning through play.
By all accounts, the trip was a success. Catherine received an enthusiastic reception from crowds in the city, and William said she came home in high spirits.
“She returned buzzing,” he said.
William also gave a glimpse into just how seriously Catherine has thrown herself into the early years cause, suggesting she spends considerable time outside of official hours going through research and documents.
“She’s a proper pro on early years, and so most evenings I’m fighting to get past in the bedroom, all the paperwork that she’s got lined up ready to read,” he said with evident affection.
Taking It One Step at a Time
While William was clearly proud of how the Italy trip went, he was also measured about the pace at which Catherine is rebuilding her public schedule. He described her as “edging herself back” into overseas visits, and stressed that the family is mindful of not pushing too hard too soon.
Royal trips are demanding, and William acknowledged the toll they take. “We have to make sure she’s OK and rested,” he said.
He reflected on how much Catherine has been through in recent years, saying she had been looking forward to the Italian visit for some time. “She’s been through so much in the last couple of years, particularly. She’d been looking forward to the Italian trip a lot, and so I’m really glad it went really well,” he added.
Catherine announced in January of last year that she was in remission from cancer, which had been diagnosed in 2024.
Why William Was in the Isles of Scilly
Friday’s visit was not just about the radio interview. William traveled to the islands to officially open a new hospital facility, a project he spoke about with clear enthusiasm given the challenges residents face when seeking medical care.
“A lot of the time people have to go to the mainland, and the cost for them, it’s a nightmare,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to seeing the expanded hospital and its new maternity services in particular.
William also visited a construction site where ten new sustainable homes are being built by the Duchy of Cornwall. The homes are part of a broader effort to ease housing pressures on the islands and help local workers stay in the community where they live and work. Priority for the homes will be given to people who have lived on the islands for more than five years or who are currently employed there.
The visit followed an announcement earlier in the week that the Duchy of Cornwall plans to sell 20 percent of its assets over the next decade, reinvesting the proceeds into housing and nature projects.