A new Channel 5 documentary takes a closer look at how King Charles III is changing the royal family’s traditions, especially after his cancer diagnosis and Princess Kate’s own battle with the illness. The show reveals a deeply personal moment where King Charles gave touching advice to his son, Prince William, urging him to value family life over royal duties.
The royal family has faced serious health challenges recently. Kate Middleton publicly revealed she was diagnosed with cancer last March and took time off from royal work to focus on treatment. In January, she shared the hopeful news that she’s now in remission. Around the same time, King Charles also confirmed that his own cancer treatment is going well and he’s feeling much better.
During these tough moments, Prince William stepped away from his royal responsibilities to be there for his wife and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Experts featured in the documentary, William and Catherine: Putting Family First, said this period has marked a major shift in how the royal family approaches duty versus personal life.
Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, said that Charles had an emotional talk with William where he told him not to repeat the same mistakes he did. Charles reportedly told him, “Please don’t make the mistake that I made. I want you to enjoy your family life.” He admitted that he had been so focused on royal duty in the past that he didn’t make enough time for his own family, something he now regrets.
Grant Harrold, who used to be Charles’ butler, said this attitude shows a big change in how the monarchy operates. He believes Charles would now put his sons ahead of royal duties if they ever needed him, something that would have been unheard of in the past. This softer, more family-focused approach is new for a royal family known for always putting duty first.
Ingrid also pointed out that when Charles and his siblings were young, they were mostly raised by nannies because Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were so dedicated to their royal roles. This left less time for personal family bonding.
Prince Harry also opened up about his relationship with his father in his book Spare. He described Charles as a father who stopped playing with them when they were still young. Harry said Charles preferred his routines and wasn’t very physically active with his children, which created a distance between them.
Recently, Harry told the BBC that he and his father still aren’t on speaking terms because of disagreements about his security, but he still hopes they can repair their relationship one day.
The documentary, William & Catherine: Putting Family First, will air Saturday at 7:30 PM on Channel 5. It highlights how personal hardship is reshaping the royal family and how King Charles’s outlook has changed, especially when it comes to putting family before royal tradition.
