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The British royal family has had to fend off many challenges since the death of long-serving monarch Elizabeth II in 2022. Few members of the family find themselves in the spotlight quite like Prince William, who became heir to the throne upon the elevation of his father, Charles, following Elizabeth's death.
William, who is married to Kate Middleton, has been in the eye of the storm as the princess undergoes rigorous and exhausting cancer treatment following her diagnosis earlier this year. Kate's treatment means that William has had to take on a larger role in caring for their three children -- one of three responsibilities that is putting a strain on the United Kingdom's future king.
William combating isolation amid family cancer diagnoses
In addition to Kate's cancer battle, Charles III is also undergoing cancer treatement for an unspecified form of the disease. The 75-year-old has resumed some of his public duties as the UK's monarch, but uncertainty reigns within two people to whom William is closest -- and the Prince of Wales has been under scrutiny for a perceived lack of support, especially with respect to the Princess of Wales, with whom he shares children Charlotte, George, and Louis.
In addition, July 1 marked what would have been Diana Spencer's 63rd birthday. William's mother, better known as Princess Diana, remains a much-loved figure around the world, more than 25 years following her untimely death in a car crash -- and the date is always an emotional one for William.
"William has now lived without his mother for a great deal longer than he had her at his side," royal expert Jennie Bond has said. "He has often spoken about the loss of a parent and how the pain never really goes away. She is always in his thoughts and that will be true more than ever on the anniversary of her birthday."
That void has made William feel even more alone, especially as brother Harry remains overseas with his wife Meghan Markle.
"There have been times in this past year when William has looked incredibly alone, shouldering the responsibility of being a son whose father has cancer, a husband caring for his wife as she also deals with cancer, a father of three young children ... and who has no brother or mother to turn to for a bit of TLC," Bond explained.