The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has withdrawn from public life as she undergoes cancer treatment following her diagnosis on March 22. Since Easter, she has been spending quality time with her family, including her husband Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, at their country residence, Anmer Hall, in Sandringham.
Both King Charles and Kate Middleton are currently receiving cancer treatment, providing steadfast support to each other during this challenging period. While Kate was recuperating from abdominal surgery at the London Clinic, King Charles reportedly visited her to offer his support.
Shortly before her announcement, Kate was seen in the Windsor gardens. She and King Charles had lunch together at Windsor Castle, and the newly surfaced details of their touching lunch have left no eye dry.
King Charles and Kate Middleton are currently undergoing cancer treatments. The monarch, who was officially crowned in early May of last year, revealed his cancer diagnosis in early February. About six weeks later, Kate Middleton announced her own diagnosis.
Kate Middleton – cancer diagnosis
On March 22, after undergoing her “planned” abdominal surgery, Kate Middleton broke her nearly two-month silence about her health. The Princess of Wales revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer and is now receiving chemotherapy.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding while I have been recovering from surgery,” Kate said in a video, seated on a bench in the Windsor gardens with daffodils blooming in the background.
She described the diagnosis as a “huge shock.”
“It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful. Tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” she explained, adding that she was in the early stages of treatment.
“This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery 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 okay,” Kate added, asking the public for privacy as she begins her treatment.
Several experts analyzed Kate Middleton’s video and the way she presented her diagnosis to the world. Body language expert Judi James noted that Kate sitting alone on the bench in Windsor Gardens was a “testament to her strength and courage,” and that the Princess of Wales hadn’t “lost her sense of humor.”
Kate Middleton compared with Queen Elizabeth by royal expert
Meanwhile, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith described Kate Middleton’s video as “sincere, dignified, and poised” in an interview with People Magazine.
“She is inherently shy, and for her to do that took a lot,” Bedell Smith explained, noting it reminded her of Queen Elizabeth II. “When she ended with ‘You are not alone,’ it echoed something Queen Elizabeth would have said. It was very similar to her COVID message: ‘We are all in this together.'”
Bedell Smith added that Kate was mindful of how many people would relate to her message: “She knew very few people who read or watched that don’t know someone with cancer. It was a way of reassuring people about her condition while helping them find courage.”
Kate Middleton has always been close to her father-in-law, King Charles, often referred to as “the daughter he never had.” Their bond seems to have grown even stronger as both navigate their cancer diagnoses.
Royal expert Victoria Arbiter noted on The Royal Beat that their relationship likely deepened as they faced similar health challenges. “They would have found tremendous comfort in each other, going through something so similar.”
Sally Bedell Smith concurred, telling People Magazine that King Charles and Kate’s bond is stronger because of their shared health struggles.
“He has always had a very good bond with her. I don’t think it’s presumptuous to say that she’s like the daughter he never had,” she said. “He shares with William an impulse to protect her. Kate and the King are in this together.”
Shortly after Kate announced her diagnosis, the Palace released a statement. King Charles expressed pride in Kate, saying he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did” and added that he has “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.”
King Charles “emotional” one-on-one lunch with Kate Middleton before cancer announcement
The statement was undoubtedly emotional, but royal expert Jennie Bond highlighted one particular word that underscored the extraordinary relationship between King Charles and Kate Middleton.
In an interview with OK! Magazine, Bond pointed out the significance of King Charles saying “closest contact” rather than simply “close.”
She also revealed that the two had lunch together at Windsor Castle less than 24 hours before Kate’s video was released, which left Charles deeply moved.
“There’s no doubt that cancer has cemented an already strong relationship. It’s very touching to think of Charles toddling down the corridor to see Kate when they were both in the hospital. And it’s understood that the King was left very emotional after their one-on-one lunch at Windsor Castle the day after she recorded her broadcast,” Bond said.
“There are so few people in whom a senior royal can confide, certain that everything they say will be secure. I’m sure both Charles and Kate have found comfort in being able to discuss their emotions, as well as the chemotherapy treatment and how it has made them feel.”
Bond added that Kate Middleton isn’t “looking for a father figure,” but that she and Charles have formed a “genuinely affectionate relationship.”
“Remember how Diana said Charles had always wanted a daughter. And he loves the grandchildren and now sees much more of them, either at Windsor or Sandringham,” she continued.
King Charles thinks of Kate Middleton “as his daughter,” expert says
“It must be particularly tough for the children to know that both their grandfather and their mother are ill. But I’m sure Charles, like Kate, tries to shield them from that and continues being a fun grandpa as much as he can in their tight-knit group,” remarked royal expert Jennie Bond.
While King Charles may not publicly express his emotions about his relationship with Kate Middleton, the monarch did reveal that he was moved to tears by the overwhelming response to his cancer diagnosis.
In February, shortly after his diagnosis was made public, King Charles met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and said, “I’ve had so many wonderful messages and cards. It’s reduced me to tears most of the time.”
He added with a laugh, “I’ve heard there’s been a lot more attention and interest in those main, wonderful cancer charities, many of which I’ve been a patron of for years.”
Jennie Bond’s insights into King Charles’ emotional lunch with Kate are supported by a source from The Sun, who noted that it’s “unusual” for them to sit down together.
“The King had already been made aware that the woman he calls ‘my beloved daughter-in-law’ had cancer. They would have had lots to discuss and share because just weeks earlier, the King had begun his course of treatment and dealt with announcing his diagnosis,” the source told The Sun.
“The King left the lunch feeling very emotional. They are very close, and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter. There is no doubt that there is much they can share and support each other through during their deeply personal cancer battles.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton decided to leave Adelaide Cottage to spend time at Anmer Hall in Sandringham. With George, Charlotte, and Louis returning to school on April 17, they are enjoying quality time with their parents at the country house.
Prince William’s beautifully supporting Kate Middleton amid cancer diagnosis
The exact status of Kate Middleton’s health as she undergoes her treatment, which includes “a course of preventative chemotherapy,” remains unclear. However, royal expert Jennie Bond believes the Princess of Wales is doing well.
In an interview with Bella Magazine, Bond shared that Kate is becoming stronger each day.
“She says she’s getting stronger every day, so I’m sure she’s doing her best to join in the outdoor life—the picnics, barbecues, and walks on the beach,” Bond said.
Prince William has been a steadfast source of support during this challenging time. A longtime family friend told People that he is a “reliable, strong person,” ensuring Kate Middleton “doesn’t feel isolated.”
“This is about supporting her and her feeling supported,” the family friend said. “It is a joint effort. She doesn’t feel isolated at all. The nuclear family they have created is an immense support not only to him but to Catherine, too.”
The insider continued, “It is a particular time in their lives, and I know their priority will be to look after each other. His focus is on his family, and other matters can wait.”
While it’s uncertain when Kate Middleton will next provide an update on her treatment and health, she is currently dedicating all her energy to being with her beloved family.
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