After his wife the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery, Prince William had a firm plan.
The Prince of Wales cleared his diary of official visits and meetings and temporarily stepped back from his royal role in order to care for his wife, while at the same time being there for their three children. The 42-year-old princess, whose stay in the private hospital has entered its ninth day, is expected to remain there for between 10 and 14 days in total - and William seen leaving the London Clinic where Kate is recuperating after visiting her bedside.
The couple clearly have a strong bond and often delight fans when out and about on engagements together - and at one important outing several years ago, William melted hearts with a sweet comment about his wife. It came as the royal couple traveled to Wales and stopped to chat to well-wishers who had gathered outside at a market in Abergavenny. Many of the fans had braved the cold weather to catch a glimpse of the pair.
But despite the freezing weather William made a rare personal - yet very sweet - comment about his wife of more than 12 years. After shaking hands with one fan, he pointed towards his wife and said: "She has the coldest hands ever." And he followed up with: "But they say 'cold hands, warm heart'."
Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter following her surgery, meaning walkabouts such as these will have to wait for the Princess of Wales. A royal source told The Sunday Times the Welsh have switched to "100 percent family first, day job second".