Prince William says family ‘couldn’t cope without’ Kate during cancer treatment on live radio appearance

The Prince of Wales has joined Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston on Heart FM from the Isles of Scilly for a special live broadcast

rince William has said his family ‘couldn’t cope without’ Kate as he reflected on her cancer treatment.

The Prince of Wales, 43, joined Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston on Heart FM from the Isles of Scilly for a special live broadcast on a foggy day, broadcast from a cafe.

In a wide-ranging interview, the prince joked about doing the school run, his love of dance music and how he still follows his late grandmother the Queen’s rule for making scones – cream first then jam. Beforehand, he posed for a selfie alongside the presenters, posted on Heart’s social media channels.

During the segment, he made rare comments about his wife, Kate’s, return to duties after her cancer diagnosis, saying he was “so proud”,  and adding: “She’s an amazing mum, an amazing wife and literally our family couldn’t cope without her, so she’s been brilliant.”

© Heart FM
Prince William gets candid on Heart FM

The Princess revealed her cancer diagnosis in 2024 and announced she was in remission in January last year, beginning a slow return to official duties.

Last week, she visited Italy – her first official trip abroad since her diagnosis, and in three and a half years.

He said his wife is “edging herself back” into doing more overseas visits following her successful cancer treatment, but cautioned royal trips take their toll, so they have to “make sure she’s OK and rested”.

Speaking about her return, William said she’d been “amazing”, revealing that she’d done “lots of research” and spent “god knows how much time looking through all the paperwork”. He said she is a “proper pro” when it comes to her work, especially on early childhood.

© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Prince William opened up about Kate’s cancer recovery and her return to duties

He joked: “Most evenings I’m fighting to get past in the bedroom all the paperwork that she’s got lined up ready to read. So I’m so pleased it went well for her, and yeah, I think she came back buzzing.”

Many had been left impressed by “Catarina”, as Kate introduced herself on her trip abroad, and her Italian language skills, with the Prince adding, “she must have dusted that off a while ago!”

The Wales family’s music tastes

© Getty Images
Prince William has appeared on Heart FM (pictured on his Cornwall visit yesterday)

William also said he used to go clubbing “in my youth Jamie!” and described music as a “personal” experience, saying he feels “energised” by the music he listens to.

However, he did request Taylor Swift to be played for his children, Princess Charlotte and Princess Louis, who are known to be big fans. George and Charlotte famously attended her Wembley Stadium shows in 2024.

Charlotte, particularly, is “obsessed by Taylor Swift”, he said, adding: “Seeing her on tour was amazing!” He revealed they’d watched her from a box at Wembley, praising the “incredible atmosphere” that even shook the floor. Jamie and Amanda then played Opalite, from Taylor’s latest album The Life of A Showgirl.

Meanwhile, William said his wife, the Princess of Wales, likes RAYE, particularly Where Is My Husband?. “She likes that song a lot!” he said.

Recovering after his big night out!

Of course, William wasted no time addressing Aston Villa’s victory in the Europa League – their first title in decades. The Prince delighted royal fans with his very enthusiastic celebrations from the stands in Istanbul, before returning to work on Wednesday with a slightly later start than usual.

© CameraSport via Getty Images
The heir to the throne is back at work after a late night at the football

He told Amanda and Jamie that he was a “bit hoarse” and said: “I don’t have a voice for radio this morning, I apologise!”

He said: “I try and remind myself that I am a football fan. I’m just going there to enjoy myself, but then I see the following day, and I realize actually a lot of people are watching you doing that. I got really into the moment. I’ve been following it most of my life, and so it was a huge moment for all Villa fans.”

The Prince was then delighted as he was presented with some Aston Villa cupcakes in claret and blue. He said that everyone in the team feels like a “second family” and even admitted he speaks to a couple of the players regularly.

William’s visit to the Scilly Isles

Following his trip to Cornwall on Thursday, William was presented with scones, revealing he puts the “cream on first”, something he “learned from my grandmother”, the late Queen Elizabeth II. “That’s the Devonian way,” he was told.

© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
The Duke of Cornwall appears on the Heart Breakfast radio show with Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston

Later, William will open a new facility designed to increase medical capacity and improve access to healthcare across the islands.

William, the Duke of Cornwall, will visit the island of St Mary’s as part of his efforts to highlight work to strengthen essential services across the islands.

His stops will include the Isles of Scilly Hospital and a Duchy development of new, sustainable homes.