Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton faced back-to-back crises: the death of Queen Elizabeth, King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, and then Kate’s shocking cancer diagnosis. But through it all, the couple’s bond has only grown stronger, according to royal journalist Russell Myers.
Myers has written a new book about the couple. He spoke to dozens of people close to Kate and William. He says most people don’t realize how central Kate is to the monarchy and to William personally.
“William relies on Catherine professionally, personally and emotionally,” Myers said.
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When Kate received her cancer diagnosis, it was just days after Charles’s. William was shaken, but Kate remained calm. According to Vanity Fair, she quickly decided that they both needed to step back from royal duties and focus on family.
Friends told Myers that Kate was probably the stronger of them during this difficult time. Myers believes that Kate is the quiet force behind the throne. She will play a defining role as William and Kate prepare for their future as King and Queen.
A royal journalist says many people in William and Kate’s inner circle felt the time was right to speak openly. Their revelations come after a decade of royal turmoil, marked by scandals, fights and health crises. The British royal family also suffered the deaths of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
Myers wanted to tell a different story, not one of conflict, but of William and Kate quietly shaping a new kind of monarchy. As future king and queen, the couple plans to make the monarchy more accountable and relatable, Myers told Vanity Fair.
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Prince William is already auditing the Duchy of Cornwall for greater transparency. Their public work focuses on long-term impact. William has a homelessness initiative called Homewards. His environmental project is Earthshot and Kate focuses on early childhood development.
William also plans to greatly simplify the coronation ceremony. The couple will not be silent on the issues that matter. According to Myers, they will comment on anything from welfare to global conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. Change, Myers says, is very much their agenda.
Kate-William divorce rumours
Russell Myers’ book comes amid rumors of a possible split between Prince William and Princess Kate. Fans and tabloids noticed some warning signs.
The first concern is William’s alleged absence during Kate’s cancer treatment in 2024. William reportedly only visited the hospital once as Kate underwent abdominal surgery and spent 13 days in the hospital.
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The second concern concerns Kate’s engagement ring. In January, she was spotted twice without the famous 12-carat sapphire once owned by Princess Diana.
The third concern is that William is not wishing Kate a happy birthday on social media this year. In 2025, he posted a heartfelt tribute, calling her “the most incredible wife and mother.” Many social media users wondered if this signaled a silent separation.
Finally, old rumors about William’s alleged affair with aristocrat Rose Hanbury have resurfaced. Reports in 2019 claimed that Kate was devastated and that the couple had sought marriage counseling. An anonymous tip in 2022 described the affair as “an open secret in London”.
None of these claims have been officially confirmed.
