As the Prince of Wales marked a first major since his wife was diagnosed with cancer, he faces a heartbreaking call that could have major consequences. This comes after his father, King Charles, underwent treatment to address an enlarged prostate, but palace authorities have denied the diagnosis was prostate cancer.

William has tended towards less of the day-to-day routine work of the monarchy compared to his father, instead focusing on bigger, glitzier engagements. However, from now on, he is expected to accompany us on many of these less exciting public excursions. In the meanwhile, his wife, Princess Katherine, needs to start moving quickly. The Source added that the 42-year-old princess will not be completely visible until June; she’s still healing from the cancer battle. The princess had to postpone a number of important appearances due to her illness, even though it’s not the best time. She’s prepared to take charge.

For years, from the magical moment on April 29th, 2011, until this year, the universal view of Catherine was what a good job that William has done nabbing her for a wife and future Queen. Now, the prince is facing some bloody hard truths. The call about his wife first came, her planned abdominal surgery in January, then a month later, her shocking cancer diagnosis. A friend says he does not know how he managed to deal with all the wild speculation.

Prince William has shown his grit and determination to keep going after enduring a difficult period dealing with both his wife and father’s cancer diagnosis. I fail to see how, at some point, he’s not going to have to make some very hard decisions about his wife and his work. His family needs the Prince of Wales so badly right now, and the crown needs William so badly too. I have no idea if he can truly balance these competing priorities during a highly stressful period for the royal family.

He continues to balance both his duties as a royal and the care and protection of his family, which speaks to his character, grit, and determination to do the job that’s expected of him. He’s taken most of it on the chin and got on with it. This couple’s motto, as Royal editor Roya Nikah reported, was 100% family first, day job second.

The Princess of Wales is currently continuing with her course of preventative chemotherapy and recuperation at home in Windsor. William’s priority is to care for his wife and three children, but his public engagements will increase in the leadup to the family’s summer holiday in July and August. Despite the strain of recent months, he’s said to have retained his humor during this difficult time.

In the last few months, the social media storm about Princess Catherine reached epic proportions. Back in March, the wild speculation was only dampened when she made a public statement about her illness. There was widespread praise for her brave decision to reveal the shocking diagnosis.

All of these issues come as the prince deals with a strained relationship with his brother, Harry. The Duke has returned to England, and although a meeting with King Charles has already been ruled out, there are possibilities of a meeting with other Royals, including Catherine. He even affectionately describes the princess as the sister he never had in his Memoir.

There is speculation that Harry is seeking to reconcile with his family in light of his relatives’ recent health condition. Friends close to the Wales have already shut the door on a possible meeting between them. Those close to the princess said that she and William won’t welcome a visit from Harry while he’s in the UK. They insisted that the Duke trying to stop by and see them would bring nothing but unwanted drama, and that’s exactly what Katherine and William don’t want or need right now. The couple has been very clear that they want peace and quiet for them and the kids. A visit from Harry with all the drama that would bring up would be the opposite of that.

However, according to Royal expert Ingrid Seward, a meeting between the two would only take place at the request of a higher authority, specifically if King Charles III deemed it appropriate. Seward believes it’s unlikely that the king, described as a sensitive and compassionate person, would impose such a meeting at an inopportune time.