When Rachel Candappa kindly handed Prince William two cards wishing his wife and father well in their fight against cancer, her emotion was hard to miss earlier in the day.
Placing his hand on her shoulder, the future king looked the 71-year-old volunteer directly in the eyes as she urged him to “take care” of Catherine, firmly and repeatedly saying: “I will, I will “.
He only quickly changed the subject, I was told, when it became clear that Mrs. Candappa was on the verge of tears herself and that the prince was careful not to embarrass her in front of the cameras.
William’s visit to food distribution charity Surplus to Supper in Surrey was the first time we had seen the heir to the throne in public following his wife’s incredibly brave video message on March 22, when she revealed that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
He was generally chatty, friendly – he laughed and joked with the volunteers – but physically you could see small signs of the toll these last few months have taken on him.
William is presented with cards for his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, and his father, King Charles, by volunteer Rachel Candappa during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.
William speaks to van drivers during a visit to Surplus to Supper, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey
William gets stuck as he helps prepare Bolognese sauce with chef Mario Confait
It is understood that William and Kate are both extremely “grateful” for the space they have been given since her announcement.
The family spent the Easter holidays at Anmer Hall, their Norfolk retreat, where George, Charlotte and Louis were able to enjoy the country lifestyle they love so much, like the ordinary children they really are.
Indeed, only the couple’s closest associates have seen or even spoken to the prince or princess in recent weeks, emphasizing the need for them to withdraw and regroup as a family.
In October 2010, when he asked Catherine to be his wife, William had already privately promised her father, Michael Middleton, that he would do everything in his power to protect his daughter while she accepted to share his extraordinary – and very public – world. .
Only the couple’s closest associates have seen or even spoken to the prince or princess in recent weeks, emphasizing the need for them to step aside and regroup as a family.
And he kept his word, tying a virtually impenetrable ring of steel around her and their children, to balance public duty with the family life that is so important to them both.
But cancer, as the royal family has sadly discovered in recent months, is a pernicious leveler that doesn’t care whether it targets the prince or the pauper.
And William finds himself facing a new battle: a battle that touches the very foundation of everything he holds dear.
One can only imagine the weight on his shoulders of watching his beloved wife and father simultaneously face serious health crises, while trying to protect his three young children from this devastating blow to their little world.
And while, thankfully, the King appears to be responding well to treatment and hopes to take on more forward-looking public duties in the near future, recent events will have been a stark reminder of what awaits Wales in the not-too-distant future. so far away. future.
Which is why, while his appearances today have been both welcome and heartfelt, we shouldn’t expect a mass return to royal duties from the prince.
Princess Kate made her cancer announcement last month
Instead, I understand, he is likely to undertake one or two public engagements each week – often on the same day in order to minimize time away from Kate and the children – while continuing his usual behind-the-scenes work.
I’m told he will almost certainly play a role at the 80th anniversary of the landing in June, and will attend Trooping the Color and the annual Order of the Garter service and, perhaps, one of the annual ceremonies. summer garden parties for worthy community heroes.
And he will certainly continue to undertake investitures at Windsor Castle on behalf of the King over the coming weeks.
But he will also balance this by supporting Catherine who, it must not be forgotten, continues to undergo grueling preventative chemotherapy treatment and continues to recover from her first abdominal operation in January – the seriousness of which no one should underestimate.
“It’s obviously an important day (today) and one that has huge resonance for the prince in terms of his own environmental commitments, but I think you can expect to see the prince commit at a similar pace to that of February and March,” he added. stress at the source.
‘The prince has always made it clear that he wants to balance his commitment to public service and duty by supporting his family at this time, and he will continue to find a way to do that.’
Fortunately, in this, William has the full support of his wife.
“Absolutely, it’s important to both of them, actually,” my source adds.
“June is an incredibly busy ceremonial time and the Princess will want it to play its part too.
“They share the same sense of commitment and service.”
Although there are still many obstacles to overcome, it is clear that William and Catherine are overcoming them together.
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