Prince William hopes Kate can be a part of him on international journeys subsequent yr after most cancers remedy – as he outlines plans to place a ‘smaller R in royal’ with the intention to enchantment to a youthful era

The Prince of Wales has said he is hopeful Kate Middleton will have recovered enough from her cancer treatment for foreign travel next year, as he spoke candidly about putting passion before pageantry as heir to the throne.

In an interview, Prince William said he hopes to connect with the next generation by putting a ‘smaller R in royal’, as he revealed his optimism that ‘Catherine will be doing a bit more next year’, following what has been an intense year of health concerns for the royal couple.

William spelled out his philosophy at the end of a major visit to South Africa where he mixed the informal with traditional elements of the monarchy, and said he was trying to do things ‘differently’ and wanted to be a prince for his ‘generation’.

The future king said what mattered to him was ‘impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people’ and stressed ’empathy’ was also important ‘because I really care about what I do’.

He said he hoped to carry out overseas tours with the Princess of Wales, who this autumn returned to royal duties after completing a course of cancer treatment.

His comments were made in an interview with British press at the end of a four-day visit to Cape Town, which concluded on Thursday, where the prince staged his Earthshot Prize environmental awards.

Asked about a modern approach to the monarchy he appeared to be adopting, William replied: ‘It’s hard to describe what that is all about, but I can only describe what I’m trying to do, and that’s I’m trying to do it differently and I’m trying to do it for my generation.

‘And to give you more (of) an understanding around it, I’m doing it with maybe a smaller “r” in the royal, if you like, that’s maybe a better way of saying it.’

During his time in Cape Town, William performed the statesman-like duty of sitting down for talks with South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa, but also dressed casually and took part in informal events.

He also enjoyed a walkabout with nature conservationist Steve Irwin’s son. 

The projects he is pursuing, attempting to find solutions to homelessness and major environmental issues, are contemporary issues growing in prominence that are likely to resonate with a younger generation.

William explained his aims: ‘So it’s more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people.

‘And I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well, because I really care about what I do. It helps impact people’s lives.

‘And I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.

‘So that’s what I’m trying to bring, that’s what Catherine is trying to bring as well.’

William has described the past year that saw his wife and father the King being treated for cancer as ‘brutal’.

During the interview William spoke candidly about the royal family’s major health scares, describing 2024 as ‘probably been the hardest year in my life’ and a ‘dreadful’ experience.

But he sounded optimistic about possible joint overseas engagements with his wife: ‘I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.’

The last foreign trip the couple made together was when Kate joined her husband in Boston, US for the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in 2022.

William was joined by a small camera crew, who documented his four day trip.

It has now been made into a heartwarming film showcasing the inspirational young minds and local communities of the African nation that William encountered during his time there. 

Cut with eloquent shots of the Prince speaking candidly and smiling with youngsters, celebrities and environmentalists, the short documentary follows other recent videos that have shared an intimate glimpse into the Royals‘ lives.

The video showed shots of William arriving into Cape Town on Monday, as he was seen disembarking a plane dressed in a suit before speaking at an event with 

During an off-the-cuff speech, the Prince told the 120 youngsters participating in the inaugural Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme that they are ‘going to change the world’. 

Later in the day, the future king joined children from Ocean View Secondary School taking part in a training session along with a number of South African legends including ‘The Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira and Joel Stransky.

On Tuesday, William went on a walk up Signal Hill with Australian conservationist Robert Irwin, the 20-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin.

And Irwin later tweeted a video of him with William, in which he asked the prince what his ‘favourite African animal’ was. 

William replied: ‘Oh, it’s a tough question, it’s a really tough question. My children ask me this regularly. I think I’m going to have to say the cheetah. Fantastic animal.’ Irwin then said his favourite was the chameleon.

The prince also spoke with park rangers, firefighters, mountain rescue volunteers, biodiversity experts and youth volunteers in front of the scenic backdrop.

Later that day, William gave a speech at the start of a two-day summit for United for Wildlife, his umbrella organisation combating the illegal trafficking of animals.

William then joined glamorous guests on Wednesday at the annual Earthshot Awards prize ceremony. 

The awards were held in a reusable eco ‘super dome’ with a green carpets for guests who include host Billy Porter and models Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow.

The five winning organisations were chosen from nearly 2,500 nominees across 75 countries.

The Prince looked suave in a grey chequered blazer, crisp blue shirt and navy suit trousers, complete with a casual pair of gleaming eco-friendly white trainers.

During the event he candidly revealed it has been the ‘hardest year in my life’ following his wife and father’s cancer diagnoses, adding that he was hugely ‘proud’ of them both for showing such dignity and bravery.

On the final day of his visit, William travelled by boat to the picturesque fishing village of Kalk Bay to see the work of Abalobi, a 2023 Earthshot prize finalist which works with local fishermen to categorise and track their hauls.

He was met with shouts of ‘We love you, William’ and met Abalobi co-founder Serge Raemaekers who introduced the Prince to local fishermen and a team of fisherwomen involved in the Abalobi monitoring programme.

Following from the trip, it was revealed that William is ‘looking forward’ to ‘playing a role’ at the Cop30 UN climate change conference in Brazil next year, a royal source has revealed.

The Prince of Wales is seeking ‘to spread urgent optimism’ about the climate crisis when he attends the global conference, which is due to take place in Belem on the Amazon delta, in November 2025. 

There is speculation William could also stage his Earthshot Prize in the Brazilian city having spoken previously about taking the environmental awards to every corner of the Earth including China, India and South America.