The royal family was on Monday rallying in support of the Princess of Wales following her shock announcement of her cancer diagnosis, with the King a “beacon of strength” as she has treatment.
Kate revealed in an emotional video message on Friday that she had been receiving chemotherapy since late February. She said it had been an “incredibly tough couple of months” for her family but she was feeling “well and getting stronger every day”.
Kensington Palace has not disclosed the type of cancer but says it is confident she will make a full recovery.
One source told the Evening Standard how the royals had been offering support to the princess. “As the royal family navigates this delicate period, the support system around the Princess of Wales stands as a testament to their collective strength and unity,” the source said.
The King, who has expressed his admiration for Kate’s courage and resilience, has been at the forefront of this support, particularly poignant as he himself is undergoing cancer treatment.
Close sources said he had been a “beacon of strength amid their shared health struggles”, with the King’s affection for his daughter-in-law akin to that for a daughter he never had.
The two had a private one-to-one lunch at Windsor Castle on Thursday, the day before Kate’s video was aired, where they were able to offer each other support. After her video message, the King said he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did”.
Kate, 42, and Prince William are said to have now sought solace in the privacy of their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, with their children, George, Charlotte and Louis during the Easter holidays.
It reflects the couple’s desire to navigate a challenging period away from the public eye, focusing on their family and her recuperation from abdominal surgery. Despite the King’s own health challenges, he continues to fulfil his constitutional duties, including his red boxes and ministerial audiences.
He has reportedly already recorded a televised Easter message of hope and unity to reassure the nation, although it is unclear if he will lead the family in traditional services at Windsor.
His nephew Peter Phillips, the Princess Royal’s son, has said Charles is in “good spirits” but his recovery is taking a “little longer” than expected.
The Queen, who is understood to have been “particularly supportive” of Kate, will carry out three engagements this week as she continues to deputise for Charles, including representing
the King at the annual Royal Maundy service. In doing so she will become the first consort to hand out Maundy gifts.
The Queen and Prince William are also expected to take the lead during the D-Day commemorations. A ceremony will take place on June 6 on Omaha Beach where many heads of state, officials and veterans will mark the 80th anniversary.
Kate is also being supported by her parents, Michael and Carole, and siblings James and Pippa.
Meanwhile, the late Queen’s cousins the Gloucesters and the Kents — still working royals— are also stepping up, along with the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to support the King and in the absence of Kate.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to have reached out privately to William and Kate following the announcement, wishing her “health and healing”. It is not clear if the contact was a phone or video call and it has also been reported that Harry and Meghan only learned about Kate’s condition at the same time the world heard the news.
Harry is set to visit the UK in May to attend a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. It is likely to be a solo visit bwith Meghan and their two young children Archie and Lilibet staying at home in California.
There are understood to be currently no plans for the duke to meet his brother during the visit.
