King Charles is “so proud” of the Princess of Wales for her courage in speaking out about receiving cancer treatment and remains in the “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law”, Buckingham Palace has said.
The monarch, 75 who is also being treated for cancer, and the Queen have offered their love and support to Kate, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as the family try to come to terms with the news.
It came as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in California having stepped down as working royals, said in a statement: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
Sharing Charles’ reaction to the shocking news, Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’.
“Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty has ‘remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks’.
“Both Their Majesties ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’.”
James Middleton, the Princess of Wales’s brother, has said the family will rally around Kate.
In an Instagram post, alongside a picture of the two as children, he wrote: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
Charles is extremely fond of the princess, who has been part of his eldest son the Prince of Wales’s life for more than 20 years.
He and Kate share a love of art, gardening and the outdoors – but now their bond sadly stretches to a shared cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
The maternal uncle of the Princess of Wales said he hopes Kate’s cancer announcement “draws a line over the continued speculation and horrible conspiracies” after weeks of public speculation about her health.
Gary Goldsmith said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: “Let’s give Kate, William and the children time and show some love back.”
He also spoke of being “deeply upset” over the timing of his feature in The Times magazine, which is set for publication on Saturday.
“This interview and shoot was done over a week ago and went to print before I was aware of the sad news regarding my niece Kate.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Kate and the wider family at this difficult time and deeply upset at the timing of this article.”
Goldsmith, who was the first contestant evicted from ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother, also confirmed he has pulled out of his appearance in the live final on Friday evening.
The King and Queen were told the news about Kate’s health beforehand and were aware she was preparing to issue her video message.
Charles, who acceded to the throne 18 months ago, is undergoing his own course of treatment for cancer, and Camilla said this week he was “doing very well”.
He is continuing his duties as head of state behind palace walls, conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings.
But he has postponed all public-facing engagements after beginning treatment for the undisclosed form of cancer in February.
He spent three nights in hospital for a procedure on an enlarged prostate, during which time his cancer – not prostate cancer – was discovered.
