Prince William felt like he was 'hit by a bus' after Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis, new book reveals

The book draws upon conversations with numerous palace insiders to reveal previously untold details about the couple's most challenging period.

Among the most striking revelations is William's own description of his reaction to Catherine's diagnosis, which came just weeks after learning his father King Charles was also battling cancer.

The prince found himself suddenly facing an unimaginable situation with both his wife and father hospitalised simultaneously.

The princess had initially been admitted to the London Clinic on January 16 for what was described as a major but routine abdominal operation.

However, secondary tests conducted by her medical team delivered devastating news: cancer had been detected.

Doctors recommended she begin preventative chemotherapy immediately to maximise her chances of making a complete recovery.

William was present when Catherine received the diagnosis, and friends later revealed the profound impact it had on him.

According to those close to the prince, he described the moment as being "in a state of disbelief".

A close friend offered an even more visceral account of his reaction: "It was like being hit by a bus, sudden, brutal, and completely disorienting. One moment life was normal, and the next, everything changed."

Despite the devastating news, the couple maintained remarkable composure when explaining the situation to their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

A close aide revealed they "very calmly told the children what was going on and how long Catherine would need to be away for, but explained other than that everything would continue as normal and when she came home, she would need to rest up for a bit".

During her hospital stay, Catherine stayed connected with her family through video calls from her bedside, checking on the children's school activities and enquiring whether their father had been managing to cook for them.

William faced the additional challenge of caring for the children at Adelaide Cottage, where the family has no live-in staff.

Away from his children, however, the prince was "incredibly pensive", according to insiders.

His father's illness had already forced William to confront how rapidly everything could shift, both for his family and the monarchy itself.

The close friend's account painted a picture of profound emotional devastation: "He worships her, truly. She's his world, and when the diagnosis came, it was as if the ground beneath him vanished."

The friend continued: "He talked about the rug being pulled, but it was more than that, it was heartbreak, fear and helplessness all at once."

Those who witnessed William during this period described it as deeply moving to observe.

"You could see it in his eyes; in the way he held himself. But through it all, his devotion to her never wavered," the friend said.

"He's been by her side every step, and the depth of his devotion is something that stays with you. It's love in its rawest, most powerful form."

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