Real reason Prince William skipped Paris Olympics amid ‘fears’ over Kate’s chemo

Prince William revealed he missed the Olympics in Paris because he did not want to bring Covid home to his wife the Princess of Wales who was having cancer treatment.

The Prince of Wales said he was “glued” to the TV instead watching the games this summer. William was speaking to Olympic and Paralympic swimmers at a community pool in Birtley, north-east England, to highlight the Royal Foundation’s new work to boost access to swimming.

The pool was closed due to council budget cuts but reopened last month after fundraising £400,000 from crowdfunding, the government and Sports England – as well as an undisclosed donation from the Royal Foundation. The Prince began the visit with an impromptu walkabout with excited locals, who took selfies, with many having waited since 9am.

He then went inside the pool to meet Paris 2024 Olympians Adam Peaty – who tested positive for covid during the games – and Tom Dean and Paralympians Maisie Summers-Newton and Louise Fiddes, who showcased their medals. Tom asked the Prince: “Did you manage to get out there [to Paris]?”

But William, looking at Peaty, responded: “No I was so keen to come but I have to say after reading someone’s interview about Covid, I decided, because my wife was obviously having chemo, that I didn’t want to risk bringing Covid home, so Adam very kindly reminded me that that was still a thing! But we watched the whole thing. We were glued to it every day.”

The princess was diagnosed with cancer in February and last month announced she had recently completed her chemotherapy treatment. The Prince added: “Catherine and I both adore swimming. George loves scuba diving. He was 10 years old, we took him under, thinking he’d freak out, but he absolutely loved it. It just introduced him to the world of water..’