The Prince of Wales spoke for the first time since Princess Kate announced that she was undergoing treatment for cancer

Prince William attends the 2024 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 11, 2024. PHOTO:

Prince William is back online for the first time since Kate Middleton announced she is undergoing treatment for cancer.

The Prince of Wales, 41, is currently spending time with his family as his children are on school break. However, he disrupted his time away from royal duties to comment on big news in the world of British soccer. On April 10, William shared a personal message on X and Instagram Stories to respond to the international retirement of Rachel Daly, a star player on Aston Villa and the Lionesses, England’s women’s national soccer team.

“Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with @Lionesses, @RachelDaly3,” Prince William wrote on the official Kensington Royal account he shares with his wife.

He added, “Plenty more goals for Villa now!” Daly plans to continue playing at the club level, and Prince William is an avid Aston Villa supporter — and has seemingly passed his fandom onto his 10-year-old son, Prince George.

The Prince of Wales reposted Daly’s photo montage revealing her retirement from the England Lionesses and signed his message “W.” The Prince and Princess of Wales are known to sign social media messages that come directly from them with their first initials.

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The Prince of Wales is the president of the Football Association, the governing body of English soccer, and is known to chime in on social media surrounding big news about the sport.

Daly was part of the Euro 2022 championship-winning Lionesses squad and a key player who helped lead the team to the 2023 Women’s World Cup final last summer. Prince William visited the Lionesses’ training camp last summer and personally congratulated Daly after the Euro win in July 2022. Prince William and Princess Charlotte, 8, even teamed up for sweet social media messages to wish the team well before both games.Rachel Daly and Prince William at the Women’s Euro final on July 31, 2022.

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“Lionesses, want to wish you a huge good luck for tomorrow. We’re sorry we can’t be there in person,” William said in a short video in August 2023, where he sat on a bench with his daughter, who festively held a soccer ball.

“But we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved and the millions you’ve inspired here and around the world,” he continued. “So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.”

“Good luck, Lionesses!” Princess Charlotte added.

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Prince William and Princess Kate have kept a low profile in recent weeks while Prince George, Princess Charlotte and 5-year-old Prince Louis are on a school break following the Easter holiday. The family is spending private time together following Kate’s announcement that she is undergoing cancer treatment.

In a self-written speech filmed in the garden of Windsor and shared on March 22, the Princess of Wales, 42, said that she is undergoing “preventative chemotherapy” after tests following her abdominal surgery in January “found cancer had been present.”

The royal mom directly addressed the impact of her health news on her family, citing her young children.

“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok,” Princess Kate explained. “As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.”

The Princess of Wales may have strategically waited to make the public announcement until her kids were off from school. The children then had a few weeks off before the next term begins, creating space for the family to spend private time together.

Princess Charlotte, Prince William, Prince George, Mia Tindall, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton in Sandringham on December 25, 2023.

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Prince William has also postponed public duties following his wife’s health announcement and during their children’s school break, which ends later in April. The parents of three usually keep royal engagements to a minimum to spend time with their children during school vacations.

The family of five shifted tradition and didn’t join King Charles for church on Easter on March 31, which fell a few days after Princess Kate’s announcement.

“The children are at the center of their world,” a friend tells PEOPLE about the Prince and Princess of Wales.