Prince William opened up on how Princess Kate feels about missing Royal Family duties.

The prince made a surprise visit to St Michael’s Church of England High School on Thursday where he spoke about his wife, Kate.

The Princess of Wales is currently unable to perform public duties as she undergoes a course of “preventative” chemotherapy.

At the school, Prince William told a member of staff: “I am sorry Catherine can’t be here as well. She would have loved to.”

William visited the West Midlands Thursday without his wife Kate

In an emotional video filmed in Windsor last month, the princess confirmed that she has been diagnosed with a form of cancer.

William also took a break from his duties to spend time with his wife and family but has now stepped back into his role.

The prince visited Rowley Regis today after a student wrote to the royal last year inviting him to his school to see their work tackling mental health challenges.

Freddie Hadley, 12, posted his letter on X on World Mental Health Day last October telling the royal about the work he and his friends are doing to support male mental health.

William said that Kate “would have loved to” visit the school

When asked why he decided to write to Prince William, Freddie said he was impressed with William’s work on mental health issues.

Freddie and his classmates launched the #AmIManlyEnough campaign last year to tackle stigmas surrounding male mental health and encourage men and boys to talk about their feelings.

The letter moved the prince leading William to organise a secret visit to the school in the West Midlands.

William apologised for being unable to visit when he was first invited on World Mental Health Day and said he hoped he had made up for it.

Prince William chatting to Freddie who wrote to the royal last year

Prince William stroked a guinea pig during his visit to Woodgate Valley Urban Farm

Inside the building, the prince told a staff member: “Lots of people write letters but Freddie’s was a really well written letter. I promised I would come.”

The school visit was the first of three engagements by the prince in the region today.

William went on to visit Woodgate Valley Urban Farm in Birmingham where he was pictured stroking an adorable grey and white guinea pig.

The father-of-three also saw some inquisitive fluffy sheep and petted a light brown chicken held by a young girl.