After a period of absence from the public eye, Prince William has made a significant reappearance on social media.
His silence, which followed his wife Kate Middleton’s courageous announcement of her cancer diagnosis, was broken with a message of support for a leading figure in British sport.
From the moment the Princess of Wales revealed her condition, the royal couple quietly retreated from public life.
The princess expressed her intention to focus on her health, announcing in an emotional video that she would undergo preventative chemotherapy after cancer cells were discovered following abdominal surgery in January.
Now 42, Princess Kate is facing this challenge with determination and transparency, sharing her recovery process and treatment with the world.
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery to begin my treatment. But most importantly, it has taken time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I will be fine,” Princess Kate explained. “As I told them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit.”
Prince William, meanwhile, has postponed his public engagements to support his wife and during his children’s school vacations, opting to keep a low profile to spend time with his family.
This decision reflects the priority the parents of three give to their nuclear family, especially during difficult times.
Prince William’s return to social media
This Wednesday, April 10, the Prince of Wales chose a subject close to his heart to mark his return to social media: the international retirement of Rachel Daly, a star player for Aston Villa and the Lionesses, England’s women’s national football team.
In a personal letter, the Prince paid tribute to Daly’s career and her contribution to the sport.
“Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with the @Lionesses, @RachelDaly3,” Prince William wrote on the official Kensington Royal account.
He added: “Many more goals for Villa now!” Daly plans to continue playing at the club level, and Prince William is an avid Aston Villa supporter – and has apparently passed on his fandom to his 10-year-old son, Prince George.
The Prince of Wales also shared a photo montage of Daly, noting Daly’s retirement and signing his message with the initial “W.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been known to personalize direct messages on social media with their initials.
Daly’s farewell was also shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Twitter account, where Prince William often weighs in on major sports news as president of the Football Association, the governing body of English soccer.
This message is Prince William’s first personal communication since the announcement of his wife’s cancer diagnosis.
Where his absence had previously caused concern and speculation, it is now seen as an act of protection and support for his wife during her treatment.
Speculation on social media questioned not only Kate’s health, but also her relationship with the prince.
Unsubstantiated rumors suggested that the “disappearance” of Charles III’s daughter-in-law was due to William’s alleged infidelity.
However, Princess Kate categorically denied these rumors in her video statement, reaffirming the strength of her marriage and her focus on her recovery.
Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with @Lionesses, @RachelDaly3. Plenty more goals for Villa now! W https://t.co/JXmadhxW7L
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 10, 2024