The Princess of Wales’ difficult year has strengthened their bond

Throughout Kate Middleton’s tumultuous year, Prince William has remained steadfastly by her side, maintaining a sense of stability as she navigated cancer.

A source close to the royal household tells PEOPLE in this week’s exclusive cover story that the Prince and Princess of Wales are “more open” now and “talk about their relationship together.”

The difficult period has brought a newfound depth to their relationship, revealing an unprecedented level of openness in their expressions of love for each other. 

“For the princess, family — her husband and­ children — are more important than anything else,” a close royal insider tells PEOPLE. 

Prince William himself described the past 12 months as “brutal” from a personal standpoint, calling it “probably the hardest year in my life” as his wife and father, King Charles, both faced cancer. The King’s treatment is ongoing, and Princess Kate shared on Jan. 14 that she is relieved to be in “remission.”

Princess Kate, 43, and Prince William, 42, gave a rare, intimate glimpse into their 13-year marriage and life with kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, in the video she released in September 2024 to announce that she completed chemotherapy. In a June social media post for William’s birthday, Kate wrote, “We all love you so much!”

On Jan. 9, the prince reciprocated with a deeply personal birthday message to Kate. “To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you… We love you,” William wrote. 

Of their public displays of affection, royal biographer Ingrid Seward tells PEOPLE, “William must feel so fortunate that Kate has come through this that he wants to tell the world about that love. It shows the intimacy of them sharing that journey together.”

“They are able to express themselves in a way they would never have done before,” Seward says.

William and Kate have shown a greater sense of intimacy over the past year, and royal historian and writer Dr. Amanda Foreman says their bond is strong.

“They feel they are very lucky to be married to each other. Their marriage is strong, and they are being honest about it,” says Foreman. 

Away from the spotlight, Princess Kate has also been focused on her children, attending their school sports and activities. Over the holidays, the family enjoyed a ski getaway in the Alps with members of the Middleton family. As she gradually resumes her royal duties, Kate is expected to participate in some U.K.-based engagements. However, she will not be joining William on overseas tours in the immediate future. The palace has yet to confirm whether the Princess of Wales will attend the BAFTA Awards in February, an event she traditionally attends with Prince William (who is president). 

Details about such appearances will be announced closer to the date, underscoring her ongoing focus on recovery. Yet, as Kate expressed in her Jan. 14 statement about being in remission, she is “looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead.”

“She has drawn a line under the last year, and she can move forward. The word ‘remission’ is such a positive one to use, and it just feels a veil has been lifted on their life of the last year, and that they can move forward with positivity and hope,” the close royal insider says.

For much of 2024, Princess Kate slipped quietly through a secluded door at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Shielded from the world, she attended regular chemotherapy sessions away from the public eye. It was a lonely path, navigated in private during the most challenging year of her life. 

After being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer following serious abdominal surgery on Jan. 16, 2024, the princess kept her illness confidential for several weeks as she and William worked to process the enormity of the news and explain it to George, Charlotte and Louis.

But one year later, on Jan. 14, the future Queen walked confidently through the hospital’s front entrance for the first time. She returned not only as a woman in remission but also as an advocate for those still in the midst of their fight. Initially scheduled to be there for an hour, Kate extended her visit by 20 minutes as she met with patients and staff, offering hugs and sincere advice. 

For lung cancer patient Angela Terry, Kate’s “gentle eye contact” and compassionate touch left a lasting impression. “The level of connection she makes with each and every person she meets is phenomenal,” Terry tells PEOPLE.

Kate also reassured patient Rebecca Mendlesohn when they spoke one-on-one, saying, “It will get better. There is light at the end of the tunnel. You’re in the best hands.”