Princess of Wales is said to have a close bond with King Charles, who has been diagnosed with cancer
Princess Kate Middleton is said to be worried about her husband, Prince William, who put on a brave face this week as he carried out royal duties.
On Wednesday night, Prince Charles expressed his appreciation to supporters at London’s Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner. This event marked the 41-year-old prince’s return to public engagements after nearly a month, during which the royal family faced health challenges.
As the Princess of Wales is recuperating from abdominal surgery, Prince William’s father, King Charles III, is undergoing treatment for cancer.
“Kate is concerned about the emotional strain that these simultaneous medical challenges are placing on her husband,” Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” shared with Fox News Digital.
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“William is extremely worried about Kate’s condition – we still don’t know the details of her abdominal surgery or why her recovery is prolonged – and now he must confront the reality of his father’s cancer,” Andersen stated. “William has consistently expressed his desire for a robust family life, and when Kate faced health challenges, he took on the role of a hands-on father. He reduced his commitments to personally drive the children to school and handle other family responsibilities.”
“Now he has returned to his royal duties earlier than he might have preferred,” Andersen noted. “But there are occasions when duty outweighs personal family commitments, and, after all, William is the future king.”
Patricia Spruce, an NHS (National Health Service) employee, shared her experience attending the gala on LinkedIn. She mentioned that, according to the father of three, the princess has two nurses caring for her, and “they were amazing and kind.”
The 42-year-old princess has been recovering at the family’s Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
On January 17, the palace disclosed that the princess underwent “planned abdominal surgery” at The London Clinic the day before.
“The surgery was successful, and it is anticipated that she will stay in the hospital for 10 to 14 days before going home to continue her recovery,” a statement from the palace said at the time. “According to current medical advice, she is not expected to resume public duties until after Easter.”
The palace later mentioned that the royal “is making good progress.”
The reason for the princess requiring abdominal surgery remains unclear. While it is not typical for members of the royal family to disclose details about their health, the initial announcement was likely made to prevent speculation regarding potential postponements or cancellations of events involving Princess Kate in the following weeks.
On Monday, Buckingham Palace announced that the king has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has commenced treatment. The palace did not specify the type of cancer the British monarch has but clarified that it is unrelated to his recent treatment for a benign prostate condition.
The palace stated that “a separate issue of concern was noted” during Charles’ treatment for an enlarged prostate last month, during which he spent three nights at The London Clinic.
“Diagnostic tests have confirmed the presence of a form of cancer,” the palace stated in a statement.
Charles, aged 75, assumed the throne following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. England’s longest-reigning monarch passed away in 2022 at the age of 96.
Andersen noted that the king and his “beloved daughter-in-law,” as he once referred to her, have maintained a close bond. On the day Charles was admitted for treatment of his enlarged prostate, he visited Princess Kate, who was staying at the same hospital, before his procedure.
“Despite any tension between Queen Camilla and Kate, the king and Kate have always had a warm relationship,” Andersen explained. “Charles acknowledges Kate’s influence in keeping William grounded, and he recognizes her as a pillar of support. Kate, in turn, understands William’s deep respect for his father and the strong bond between them – between the monarch and the son who will succeed him.”
“Andersen continued, “Certainly, no one wants to face the reminder of a parent’s mortality. However, in William’s case, the potential loss of his father means William assumes the role of king and shoulders the immense responsibilities that come with it. It appears that Kate and Charles have spoken over the phone, offering each other support. The coincidence of both being hospitalized at the same time and the global attention it garnered – well, it’s a peculiar kind of bonding experience.”
British royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News that the “strong bond” between Princess Kate and Charles has been well-documented over the years and with good reason.
“She has introduced new values to the monarchy through her dedication and positive rapport with many members of the British public,” he elaborated.
“Prince William has much to contemplate, with considerable responsibilities ahead as he prepares to shoulder the weight of the monarchy, easing the burden on King Charles and caring for his family. Will William be influenced by Kate to mend the rift with Prince Harry? The outcome remains uncertain, but as with all royal developments, one should never rule anything out.”
Prince Harry, William’s younger brother, made a quick trip from California to London to visit his father. His visit came shortly after Buckingham Palace announced the king’s cancer diagnosis.
A source informed US Newzs Digital that the Duke of Sussex, aged 39, had been in communication with his father before the news of his illness became public.
“The duke did indeed speak with his father about his diagnosis,” the source confirmed.
The Duke of Sussex spent approximately 24 hours in the U.K. before returning home. According to multiple royal experts, the father and son held a private meeting lasting 45 minutes. Reportedly, the brothers did not meet, and there were no scheduled plans for such a meeting.
Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, remained in California with their two young children.
“What adds to the sadness of the situation is that Harry and Kate used to be very close – he even referred to her as ‘the sister I never had’ at William and Kate’s wedding reception,” said Andersen. “Harry must also be deeply concerned about his sister-in-law, but it’s highly unlikely that William would want him around her now.”
In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior royals and relocated to California. During this time, they alleged that palace officials were unsupportive of Meghan Markle’s mental health struggles as she adjusted to royal life. The couple also claimed that Meghan faced racially motivated criticism from the U.K. press, which played a part in their decision to leave the country.
Following their departure, the couple publicly aired their grievances about life within the royal family. In 2021, they participated in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which was watched by 50 million people worldwide. Additionally, after releasing a six-part docuseries on Netflix in 2022, Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” was published in 2023 and quickly became a bestseller.
“The relationship between the brothers, already strained by the time Harry departed, deteriorated further when he publicly aired his grievances. Harry also delved into their sibling rivalry in his bestselling book.
“Illness often prompts family members to set aside minor disagreements, but that’s not the case here,” said Andersen.
“William has declined to meet with Harry and is directing some of the anxiety about his wife and father into anger – anger directed at his brother,” he continued. “One might expect the two brothers to reconcile, even if only temporarily, for the sake of the king. However, it’s possible that William simply has too much on his plate to address the Harry issue and its complexities.”
“There are so many reasons for all the royals to come together now. If they don’t, it’s just another sign that they never will.”