Prince William opens up on parenting, Kate’s cancer battle, and technology limits for his children

Prince William spoke candidly about the challenges of parenting and family life in a recent interview with Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck, revealing how he and the Princess of Wales, Kate, have navigated difficult conversations with their children about her cancer battle and other family matters.

The Prince of Wales said he and Kate have been open with George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven, about both the health struggles affecting their mother and King Charles. “Every family goes through difficult times and faces challenges together. How you deal with those moments makes all the difference,” William said. “We decided to tell our children everything, both the good news and the bad. We explain to them why certain things happen and why they might feel upset. Many questions might come up without answers — I think all parents go through that. There’s no rulebook for being a parent, and we chose to talk about everything.”

He gave a glimpse of their family routine, noting how he and Kate share school runs, playdates, sports days, and time in the garden. “School run most days, I mean Katherine and I share it, but she probably does the bulk of it,” he said.

The royal also revealed the family’s cautious approach to technology: none of the children have mobile phones. “When George moves onto secondary school, maybe he’ll have one with limited access,” William explained. “With full access, children end up seeing things on the internet that they shouldn’t. But with restricted access, I think it’s good for messaging.”

William’s interview in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 8, 2025, was part of his environmental work with The Earthshot Prize, where he highlighted Brazil’s leadership in climate protection. Speaking at the awards ceremony, he emphasized the importance of hope and positivity for young people and future generations. “For my children, particularly, knowing that the planet is going to be in a better, healthier state because of the people in this room is something I love to tell them when they go to bed – it’s going to be great, your future is going to be as bright as futures gone by,” he said.

The Prince avoided questions about family disputes, including issues surrounding his uncle Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, choosing instead to focus on climate action and inspiring the next generation. Royal watchers praised his discretion, noting that unlike Prince Harry, William does not air family matters publicly.