The Princess of Wales’ younger brother James has shared a touching message of support for his sister amid her battle with cancer.
The Princess of Wales, 42, announced today that she is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy following successful abdominal surgery in January.
James, 36, took to Instagram to share a childhood photo with the princess on a hike, saying: ‘Over the years we’ve climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will also climb this with you.’
Royal fans were quick to react, pointing out how entrepreneur James will now support Kate in the same way she was by his side through his battles with depression.
The Princess of Wales’ younger brother James took to Instagram to share a childhood photo with the princess on a hike and said they would ‘climb this mountain together’ after it was revealed Kate has been diagnosed with cancer
The Princess of Wales released a video message revealing her diagnosis, saying it had come as a ‘huge shock’
This is so sweet. She was there with you during your mental struggles and I’m sure you will be by her side through this too,’ wrote one. ‘You are both so strong and you have the support of so many around the world. We love you!’
‘Aw what a lovely post.. she has such a supportive family! I have no doubt our beloved princess will get through this and be cancer free soon,” another royal fan added.
“What a beautiful post,” said a third. “Catherine is so lucky to have such an amazing family to support her. Sending so much love to the whole family.’
James has previously spoken about how Kate, along with his parents and sister Pippa, rallied to help him overcome clinical depression.
James recently welcomed his first child, a son named Inigo, with his French wife Alizee
“I was very fortunate that they were willing to get involved and understood that it’s a process, there’s no quick fix to it,” he said.
“And understanding the way my mind works, which might be different from theirs or anyone else’s, is a really important part because it was a process for me as much as it was a process for them, and I think that we as a family grew from it.’
He also spoke about how Kate and Pippa both attended therapy sessions with him for support.
“My sisters came to some of my therapy sessions,” he said. ‘They have always been there in difficult times and they were also by my side in the most difficult times. For that I am eternally grateful.’
Now it’s Kate’s turn to lean on the Middleton family, and her parents, Carole, 69, and Michael, 74, appear to have been keenly present.
The couple, along with Kate’s siblings Pippa Matthews and James, have been supporting the royal’s recovery at her home in Windsor, which is close to their own home.
Kate Middleton is seen arriving with her mother Carole Middleton (R) and sister Pippa Middleton (L) at the Goring Hotel on the night before her wedding on April 28, 2011
Kate’s recent outing with mum Carole marked her first sighting since Christmas Day.
The royal was pictured sitting in the passenger seat of Carole’s 4×4 Audi near Windsor Castle. The pictures were taken shortly before 9, which suggests that mother and daughter were returning from school.
Kate is likely to have been loved by her caring parents since she left hospital in January.
Carole and her husband Michael, 74, have long been known for their hands-on parenting approach and often host their grandchildren for overnight stays.
Carole pictured with baby Kate
(L-R) Carole Middleton, Michael Middleton and Pippa Matthews leave after attending the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2021
Kate Middleton with her sister Pippa at Simon Sebag Montefiore’s ‘Young Stalin’ book launch at Aspreys in London on May 14, 2007
Kate Middleton and mother Carole visit The Spirit of Christmas Shopping Festival at London’s Olympia
Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton leaving Westminster Abbey after the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023
Kate Middleton (R), her mother Carole Middleton and sister Pippa Middleton arrive at The Goring Hotel after visiting Westminster Abbey on April 28, 2011
Prince George and Carole Middleton (R) attend the King’s Cup Regatta on August 8, 2019 in Cowes
Talking to Tatlerinsiders who knew the Middleton children at school said the family was notorious for ‘doing everything to the very highest standards’.
‘There were huge picnics on sports days, the smartest tennis rackets – that sort of thing. It made the rest of us all feel pretty hopeless,’ a fellow parent told the paper.
‘At the end of the day, Carole has played a blinder as a mother. Not only are all her children wickedly good-looking, they are also famously charming.
‘Always the first to write a thank-you note, they dance the night away and are still the first to get up in the morning, stuffing pillows and doing the dishes.’
Carole has also reportedly always been ‘one of the girls’ with her daughters, meaning they would never shy away from involving their mother in their lives.
The princess’s parents were also able to give the princess a privileged upbringing, attending the famous Wiltshire boarding school – Marlborough College.
Both Kate and her younger siblings James, 36, and Pippa, 40, attended the institution, which is said to have transformed the future queen from a ‘shy bullied girl’ to a ‘hockey captain who caught a prince’.