King Charles and Princess Kate are reportedly even closer than usual as they are both having treatments for cancer, and His Majesty made sure to spend time with her in hospital
King Charles has been ‘encouraging and supporting’ Kate Middleton over the last few months as she learned of her ill-health.
The Princess of Wales, 42, announced in an emotional televised statement on Friday that she is having preventative chemotherapy after doctors discovered cancer present during tests following her abdominal surgery in January. The shock news came just weeks after Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles, 75, has cancer too.
In a heartfelt statement on Friday, Charles said he is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’ and has ‘remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks’. The palace added both Their Majesties ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’.
The devastating diagnoses are said to have made Charles and Kate even closer than usual, as they both focus on their health and recovery. A senior royal source said on Saturday: “There is a very strong relationship between their majesties and the Waleses. They are very close, even more so at the moment.”
In a kind gesture of reassurance, Charles reportedly took Kate for lunch at Windsor Castle for a heart-to-heart the day before her moving video message. He is said to have travelled from London to the Berkshire town for the private lunch on Thursday after being made aware of Kate’s cancer struggle. Kate was reportedly keen to speak to Charles following his diagnosis.
A source told The Sun: “It is highly unusual for just the two of them to sit down together like this. The King had already been made aware that the woman he calls ‘my beloved daughter-in-law’ had cancer. The King left his lunch feeling very emotional.”
They added: “They would have had lots to discuss and share because just weeks earlier the King had started his course of treatment and dealt with announcing his diagnosis. They are very close and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter.”
It comes as a source also revealed that while the pair were in hospital at The London Clinic in January, Charles, who had a procedure for an enlarged prostate, was seen visiting Kate to spend quality time with her while she was recovering from major abdominal surgery.
A source close to Charles told The Sunday Times on Saturday: “The King has always had a close, warm and unique relationship with the princess. She has a great love and respect for him and his position. When they were in hospital together there was a lot of toddling down the corridor to spend time with her. He has been encouraging and supporting her throughout.” Queen Camilla is also said to be a pillar of support and in regular contact with Kate.
