Prince William has faced tough hurdles in recent times but they have only made him stronger, a royal expert claims.

The last few years has seen the Prince of Wales grapple with various traumas, including the death of his grandmother the late Queen and Prince Philip, while his father King Charles and his wife Princess Kate have both been diagnosed with cancer. William has also had a difficult relationship with his brother, Prince Harry, and there have been some stand-out challenging moments.

One of them was the day the late Queen sadly died, aged 96, on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, with two of her children, Princess Anne and Charles, by her bedside. Prince William, Edward, Andrew, and Sophie Wessex arrived quickly, while Prince Harry travelled separately, to say their final goodbyes.

Britain's King Charles III officially hands over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales in front of an Apache helicopter at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England,

Royal commentator Ingrid Seward says Charles and William became closer after the Queen’s death ( Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Initial reports stated that Meghan would accompany Harry to Balmoral, but he showed up alone. According to the Mail, she “changed her mind” because of Kate. Recalling the emotional day and how William coped with it all, royal commentator Ingrid Seward said the Prince handled it with “finesse”, including his controversies with Harry.

She told The Mirror: “Even at that emotional moment, Kate was unable to be at his side. It was their kids’ first day at a new school and she correctly felt she had to support them. There was also the problem with Prince Harry whose wife Meghan felt if Kate was at the Queen’s Balmoral home she should be allowed there too. William handled the whole difficult day with finesse.”

Ingrid said that the loss of the late Queen “brought William and Charles closer” as they grieved together. The royal author added: “The traumas of the past year have made [William] a stronger person. He has become the kind of man Diana always hoped he would be. Kind considerate and able to take on whatever life throws at him.”

Describing William’s personality, Ingrid said: “William is sensitive, he likes structure and has perseverance. He does not give up easily. His relationship with brother Harry upset him more than he would care to admit. But he found it easier to cut ties rather than allow himself to be continually annoyed. His life with Kate gives him the security, love and friendship he needs.”