King Charles warns Prince William: ‘Don’t make the same mistakes I made’: expert

Prince William received a warning from his father, King Charles, about his marriage.

“(His father) said, ‘Look, William, there’s nothing more important than your family,'” Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of “My Mother and I,” told Fox News Digital.

“‘Don’t make the mistakes I made,'” Seward claimed. “I just did duty, duty, duty. I neglected my marriage and look what happened.”

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Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, believes King Charles gave Prince William sound advice about marriage based on personal experience. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

And there are lessons to be learned from the king’s past.

Charles met Camilla Parker Bowles at a polo match in 1970. The two grew closer, but their romance was interrupted by his eight-month naval service. In his absence, Camilla married her long-time boyfriend, army officer Andrew Parker Bowles, in 1973.

In 1981, Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. The union was plagued by problems and came under scrutiny from the tabloids.

Camilla and Andrew divorced in 1995, shortly after Charles gave an explosive interview in which he admitted an affair with his former love. Charles and Diana’s divorce was finalized in 1996, a year before the princess died in a car accident at the age of 36.

“(His father) said, ‘Look, William, there’s nothing more important than your family. Don’t make the mistakes I made. I was just doing duty, duty, duty. I neglected my marriage and look what happened.’”

— Ingrid Seward, author of “My Mother and I”

King Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage was unhappy. (Reuters)

Charles and Camilla married in 2005. They were crowned king and queen in 2023.

King Charles ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022. He was crowned in 2023. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

William met Kate Middleton in 2001 when they were studying at St. Andrews University. The following year they moved in with friends. The couple finally moved into their own apartment in 2003, a year before their relationship went public.

The couple parted ways in 2007 after nearly five years of dating and got back together later that year. William proposed to Kate in 2010 and the couple married in 2011.

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Kate Middleton and Prince William on their wedding day in 2011. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

The Prince and Princess of Wales have three children together – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. William is the heir to the British throne.

Seward said Charles was a “huge supporter” of the union and encouraged William to put his duty aside when Kate faced a serious health blow.

In January this year, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had undergone “planned abdominal surgery.” William postponed his official royal duties to stand by Kate’s side and support her family.

In March, Kate Middleton announced that her cancer had been discovered following scheduled abdominal surgery. (Getty Images)

After the princess became the subject of online conspiracy theories surrounding her health, the 42-year-old revealed in March that “there was cancer” following her surgery.

After Kate’s announcement, William took some time off to support his wife.

In September, Kate announced that she was cancer-free. The princess, who appeared alongside her husband and children, described how difficult the last nine months have been for her family. She expressed “relief” at the completion of her treatment.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton joined the rest of the royals for the 2024 Trooping the Color ceremony in June. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

“I think she has had fantastic support from Prince William,” Seward said. “He said publicly it was the hardest year he’s ever had and it was very…difficult. So we can only imagine how difficult it must have been (really) because William also had to reassure her three young children that they were a mother. “Children will be fine if they see their parents having a bad time for so long goes.

“I think it was very hard and he was a tremendous support,” Seward shared. “And in return he was supported by his father.”

In her video announcement, Kate said she was excited to be back at work but planned to “take each day as it comes.” Seward noted that Kate “held herself really well.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the ceremonial welcome at the Horse Guards Parade during the Emir of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom on December 3, 2024 in London. (Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)

“She doesn’t really do evening appointments,” Seward said. “The only evening engagement she has this week is her own Christmas service at Westminster Abbey, which will be recorded to be televised on Christmas Eve.”

People Magazine reported that Kate addressed an emotional letter to each of the 1,600 guests who will gather at Westminster Abbey on December 6.

In it, she described how the holiday season was one of her favorite times of the year.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children during the annual Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023 in London. (Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“It also gives us a chance to slow down and think about the deeper things that connect us all,” she shared, as quoted by the medium. “When we pause and step away from the pressures of daily life, we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness – so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.”

She also shared that the Christmas story “reminds us how important it is to give and receive compassion and how much we need each other despite our differences.”

“Most importantly, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear,” Kate said. “The love we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that forgives, and love that brings joy and hope.”

Kate Middleton is slowly returning to her royal duties, supporting her husband Prince William (center) and her father-in-law, King Charles. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

“This love is the greatest gift we can receive. …Love is the light that can shine brightly even in our darkest times. We all have something we can offer each other. Gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around us, an exhausted shoulder or being quietly at someone’s side.”

Kate’s Christmas service “is a heartfelt tribute to each and every one of you and a reminder that we must all shine for one another at Christmas and throughout the year,” she said.

“For in times of joy and sorrow, we are each other’s light.”

WATCH: KING CHARLES WARNING THIS WARNING TO PRINCE WILLIAM ABOUT MARRIAGE: AUTHOR

The outlet noted that Kate and William, 42, will be joined by other members of the royal family. It is also likely that the couple will bring their three children with them, as they have in the past.

“I think Catherine has a great warmth for other people, something that (her mother-in-law, Princess) Diana also had,” Seward said. “I think she’s completely sincere and I think she feels that when she does something for other people that really helps them, it makes everyone feel good.”

“I think that’s something she’s going to focus on a lot going forward,” Seward shared. “She’ll just do what she can. I think when you’re as sick as she was – remember, not only did she have cancer, she also had abdominal surgery – it must have been very scary for me.”

Kate Middleton announced in September that she was cancer-free. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

“I’m sure she’s doing exactly what her medical team says… and they always say the same thing. They say, ‘Rest, rest.’ I think she follows through and will do what she can when she can.