The British monarch and the Princess of Wales have both been diagnosed with cancer
King Charles III recently bestowed a special honor upon his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton.
This Tuesday, the British monarch appointed the Princess of Wales as a Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour. This is a significant moment, as Kate is the first member of the royal family to receive this honor.
The Order of the Companions of Honour was established by King George V in 1917. It celebrates achievements in various fields such as art, science, medicine, and public service. It’s considered one of the most prestigious honors within the royal system.
The Order currently counts 65 members, among them Elton John, Paul McCartney, and J.K. Rowling. Buckingham Palace unveiled the new list of honors on Tuesday, April 23, coinciding with St. George’s Day in the U.K.
During the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, Charles also appointed his eldest son, Prince William, as the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Charles himself held the same order during his tenure as the Prince of Wales from 1974 to 2022. Past holders of this title include Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1942–1974), and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1901–1942).
The king’s wife, Queen Camilla, has been appointed as the Grand Master and the First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This prestigious position was formerly held by the king’s father, Prince Philip, from 1953 until his passing in 2021 at the age of 99.
The late Duke of Edinburgh, Britain’s longest-serving consort, passed away in 2021.
Kate Middleton’s recent royal title is viewed as a gesture of support from Charles, who is 75 years old. Both the monarch and the princess are facing battles with cancer.
Charles is known to have a deep affection for Middleton, who is 42 years old. During his state visit to Kenya in 2023, the monarch fondly reminisced about William’s proposal to Middleton in the country back in 2010. In his address, he referred to her as “my beloved daughter-in-law.”
Middleton, in turn, has shown warmth towards the king. They often exchange hugs and kisses on the cheek during public engagements.
According to author Sally Bedell Smith, Charles and Middleton share a strong bond. “She’s interested in artistic things, and she appreciates art and culture, so [she] has an affinity with the king over that,” Smith previously told People magazine.
Smith, the author of “George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy,” remarked that the king and the princess now share another connection through their cancer diagnoses.
“This shared experience can only deepen their bond,” she observed. “It provides reassurance and comfort for both of them.”
Buckingham Palace announced in February that Charles has been diagnosed with a type of cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. Additionally, a “separate issue of concern” was identified during Charles’ procedure for benign prostate enlargement at the London Clinic.
The palace stated in a release that “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”
In a video posted in March, the Princess of Wales disclosed that she is also facing a form of cancer and has been undergoing preventive chemotherapy treatment.