The 2024 Paris Olympics have stirred up a great deal of excitement over the past several weeks. But fans of the British royal family were just as thrilled to hear what the prince and princess of Wales had to say about the athletic event.
Prince William and his beloved wife, Kate Middleton, appeared in an unexpected video which congratulated Great Britain’s Olympic athletes as they wrapped up their time in France. The August 11 video message marked a rare public appearance by the princess, who has stayed largely out of the spotlight since her sudden cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Kate has been undergoing preventative treatment for an unspecified form of cancer that was discovered following “major abdominal surgery” that initially did not cause concern for being cancer. Her public appearances have been significantly reduced, making her video with her husband that much more exciting for fans.
Kate expressed “congratulations” to their country’s team on behalf of everyone who had been “watching at home” as they competed in the Olympics. The princess was praised as “look[ing] great” as fans showed their love for the couple. Prince William was ironically described by some as looking “rugged” as he said that Great Britain’s athletes have served as an “inspiration to us all.”
The couple’s message followed a statement from King Charles, who shared “warmest congratulations” from himself and his wife, commending their athletes’ “outstanding success” in Paris. He added that the “many” different sporting achievements “were forged” by what he described as an “invaluable combination” of years of “hard toil,” “true grit,” and “raw talent.”
And the monarch did not forget those who may not have made the podium. Addressing those who “missed out” on medals during the Olympic events, King Charles said that they “most certainly” did not “fall short” of the pride that they have equally “generated” by representing their countries.
He concluded by expressing gratitude for France as the host nation and said that everyone involved in this year’s competition are “an inspiration.”
Kate announced in March that a surgery had uncovered cancer, leading her to take preventative chemotherapy. She explained that she and William were determined to “process and manage” the challenge “privately” in the best interest of their family. The couple’s children, George, Charlotte, and Louis are ages 10, 8, and 5, respectively.
