Prince William has revealed he skipped the Olympic Games this year because he did not want to give his wife COVID while she was undergoing chemotherapy.
The royal said he decided not to join other dignitaries, such as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, at the spectacle in Paris in July, due to fears he may catch the virus and pass it on.
The Princess of Wales announced in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy – which can weaken the body’s ability to fight infections such as COVID.
The royal said last month she had completed her treatment.
Prince William made the comments as he met Team GB Olympic swimmers Adam Peaty and Tom Dean, as well as Paralympians Maisie Summers-Newton and Louise Fiddes, at Birtley Community Pool in Gateshead on Thursday.
Peaty narrowly missed out on a gold medal in the men’s 100m breaststroke in Paris and had to settle for a silver – before announcing the next day that he had been diagnosed with COVID.
Thousands line the banks of the River Seine for the Olympics opening ceremony in July. Pic: AP
Possibly referring to Peaty’s experiences, The royal said: “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 was still a thing. But we watched the whole thing. We were glued to it every day.”
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Prince William visited the centre to promote swimming. The venue reopened in September following a community crowdfunding campaign against its closure due to cuts last year.
He told the four athletes he and the Princess of Wales “adored” swimming and his son George had taken up scuba diving.
Adam Peaty (left) chats with the Prince of Wales. Pic: PA
The royal said: “He’s 10 years old. We took him under thinking he would freak out. He absolutely loves it.
“It’s just introducing him to the world of water.”
The Prince of Wales speaks with schoolchildren at Birtley Community Pool. Pic: PA
Referring to the pool, he added: “We want to replicate this across the country because swimming is such an important part of life.
“We’re an island nation, we should all have access to learn how to swim.”
It came as the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales announced a new partnership with Birtley Community Pool to provide swimming lessons and lifeguard training.
