This year has been particularly challenging for Princess Catherine, as she faced a health scare that necessitated taking some time off from her royal duties. This situation was unprecedented for both her and her husband, making it a trying time for their close-knit family. While the experience has been an emotional roller coaster, a source close to Prince William revealed that the future king has entered protection mode, striving to shield his children as their mother's health was discussed widely in the media and public.
Prince William, who is widely known as Kate during her younger years, had made it clear before their wedding that she preferred to be called Catherine. While friends and family respected this request, the name Kate had largely stuck, and she is still often referred to as such by the public and media. However, according to recent reports, William was upset by his estranged brother's refusal to call his wife by her preferred name, even when sending get well soon messages. Another friend of the princess noted that Harry’s lack of courtesy only served to strain the already fractured relationship between the brothers. The apparent reluctance of the Sussexes to address the Princess of Wales by her chosen name was seen as an unnecessary irritation, potentially contributing to William’s decision not to respond to Harry and Meghan's expressions of sympathy following Catherine's health scare.
During this time, Prince William has shown remarkable strength, providing both emotional and practical support to ensure the family's well-being. Catherine has noticed these efforts and is genuinely touched by everything he is doing, not just for her but also for their children. After more than 13 years of marriage, the Prince and Princess of Wales are stronger together than ever.
However, there was a time when William kept a significant secret from Catherine. According to a revealing new book by Robert Jobson, an incident occurred at a dinner party with friends, including William's ex-girlfriend Carly Massie Burch. During a game of "Never Have I Ever," Carly made a statement that exposed the couple when she claimed, "I've never dated two people in this room," knowing full well that William was the only one who had. The room was shocked, and William reportedly gave Carly a thunderous look, whispering, "I can't believe you just said that." Despite his initial frustration, William managed to move past the incident, and the couple maintained their friendship with Carly, who was even invited to their wedding at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
During their engagement interview in 2010, William and Catherine shared details of a romantic Kenyan holiday, during which William proposed with his late mother Princess Diana’s engagement ring. William revealed he had secretly carried the ring, made by royal jeweler Garrard, in a backpack for three weeks before proposing. He joked, "I knew if the thing disappeared, I'd be in a whole lot of trouble."
Jobson also writes that Catherine once considered rejecting the title associated with William’s late mother, aware of the inevitable comparisons to Diana, whose tragic death had caused immense grief and anger. The constant scrutiny was stressful for Catherine. However, William reassured her that there was no pressure to replace his mother, emphasizing that Catherine would bring her unique presence to their future together.
We believe it’s important to honor the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and invite you to join us in paying tribute by sharing your favorite memories of her in the comments. Princess Diana never had the chance to see her children marry or have children, but she would have been incredibly proud of William’s handling of the past year. While his relationship with his brother Harry has upset him more than he would admit, William found it easier to cut ties rather than continually allow himself to be irritated.
