Prince William has been praised by a royal historian for being the “new rock” of the Royal Family after a “brutal” year in 2024.
The Prince of Wales, 42, managed to juggle his royal duties with caring for his wife Princess Kate, 42, following her cancer diagnosis, which came just weeks after his father King Charles was also diagnosed with the disease.
In an interview in Cape Town just months ago, William opened up on how the year had been “brutal” for his family, saying that he was “proud” of both his wife and father for what they have been through.
However, despite these personal challenges, the future King impressed royal fans and experts alike as he continued with the majority of his public engagements last year, balancing this with helping his wife and three children.
Historian Tessa Dunlop said the prince’s ability to continue with his work shows how he is the “reincarnation” of one royal relative – his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who carried out her duties until just days before her death.
In The Independent, the historian wrote: “The Prince of Wales is royalty’s new rock. A reincarnation of his late grandmother, the steadfast anchor who changed it up with designer stubble when his wife was out of action, a woman’s man who unambiguously declared 2024 more than brutal, in fact, the toughest year of his life.
“The nation fell in love with Diana’s firstborn all over again. We had forgotten how tall he is, and how comfortable he is in his own skin.”
The historian also pointed out how both William and Kate together have been a united couple during the tough year, with her few public appearances by her husband’s side showing them as a “double act.
Tessa wrote: “Without doubt, the rebirth of the Waleses as the country’s number one couple has moved our monarchy into a new space. These days they appear to be a double act, even when apart.”
Since Princess Kate completed her chemotherapy in September, she has begun a gradual return to work as she continues her recovery from the family’s cottage in Windsor.
She is expected to take part in more royal engagements over the coming year.
The couple’s latest appearance together was on Christmas Day when they took part in the annual walk to church in Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family.
During the walkabout afterwards, the couple and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, were met by dozens of wellwishers.
