When Rachel Candappa graciously presented Prince William with two cards wishing his wife and father the best in their individual battles with cancer, her emotion was hard to miss today.
Placing his hand on her shoulder, the future king looked directly into the eyes of the 71-year-old volunteer as she urged him to “take care” of Catherine, telling him firmly and repeatedly: “I will, I will.”
She only quickly changed the subject, I’m told, when it became clear that Mrs. Candappa herself was on the verge of tears and that the prince was trying hard not to embarrass her in front of the cameras.
William’s visit to food redistribution charity Surplus to Supper in Surrey was the first time we saw the heir to the throne in public after his wife’s incredibly brave video message on March 22, when she revealed she was receiving treatment against cancer.
He was typically chatty and affable, laughing and joking with volunteers, but physically you could see small signs of the toll the past few months have taken on him.
William receives cards for his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, and his father, King Charles, from volunteer Rachel Candappa during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.
William talks to van drivers during a visit to Surplus to Supper, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey
William gets stuck while helping prepare bolognese sauce with chef Mario Confait.
William and Kate are understood to be immensely “grateful” for the space they have been given since their announcement.
The family spent the Easter holidays at Anmer Hall, their Norfolk retreat, where George, Charlotte and Louis were able to enjoy the rural lifestyle they love, like the ordinary children they really are.
In fact, only the couple’s closest aides have seen or even spoken to the prince or princess in recent weeks, emphasizing the need for them to retreat 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 since she agreed to share his extraordinary – and very public – world. .
Only the couple’s closest aides have seen or even spoken to the prince or princess in recent weeks, emphasizing the need for them to retreat and regroup as a family.
And she has kept her word, tying a virtually impenetrable ring of steel around herself and her children, in order to balance public duty with the family life that is so important to both of them.
But cancer, as the Royal Family has sadly discovered in recent months, is a pernicious leveler that doesn’t care whether it has the prince or the pauper in its sights.
And William has found himself facing a new battle: one that has struck at the very foundation of everything he loves.
One can only imagine the weight on his shoulders as he watches both his beloved wife and father face serious simultaneous health crises, while trying to protect their three young children from this devastating blow to their little world.
And while the King thankfully appears to be responding well to treatment and is hopeful of taking on more future public roles in the near future, recent events will have been a stark reminder of what lies ahead for Wales in the near future. so far. future.
That’s why, although his appearances today were welcome and heartfelt, we shouldn’t expect to see a full return of the prince to his royal duties.
Princess Kate made her cancer announcement last month
Instead, from what I understand, he is likely to undertake one or two public engagements each week (often on the same day to minimize time away from Kate and the children), as well as continuing his usual behind-the-scenes work.
I’m told he will almost certainly take on some sort of role around the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June, as well as attending Trooping the Color and the Order of the Garter’s annual service and perhaps one of annual events. summer garden parties for worthy community heroes.
And he will surely continue to perform investitures at Windsor Castle on behalf of the King over the coming weeks.
But you will also balance this with supporting Catherine who, we must not forget, is still undergoing grueling preventive chemotherapy treatment and continues to recover from her initial abdominal surgery in January, the severity of which should not be underestimated by anyone.
‘It’s obviously been an important day [today] and one that resonates strongly with the Prince in terms of his own environmental commitments, but I think we can expect to see the Prince making commitments at a similar pace to February and March,” a source underlines.
‘The prince has always made clear that he wants to balance his commitment to public service and duty with supporting his family at this time, and will continue to find a way to do so.’
Fortunately, in this William has the unconditional support of his wife.
“Absolutely, it’s actually important to both of us,” my source adds.
‘June is an incredibly busy time ceremonially and the princess will want him to play his part too.
“They share the same sense of commitment and service.”
While there are still many obstacles to overcome, it is clear that William and Catherine are finding their way through them together.