The Princess of Wales told her fellow cancer sufferers that they are “not alone” and must not “lose faith or hope” as she revealed to the world that she is seriously ill.
His words brought comfort to millions of people who were also in the same battle, but his moving message was also a subtle thank you to his father-in-law for his unfailing support during the most difficult weeks of his life.
And the King’s decision to reveal today that he is recovering and returning to work after months of treatment will be just the positive news Kate needs to move forward with her own fight against cancer.
Both the Princess of Wales and Charles had been in hospital together at the same time in January – Kate was undergoing abdominal surgery and the monarch underwent a procedure on his prostate.
The King had tentatively ‘walked’ from his hospital bed to Kate’s nearby room to comfort his daughter-in-law on several occasions while they both recovered at the exclusive London Clinic.
Prince William has been fully focused on supporting his wife and family and until recently cut back on his public duties, a salve for his wife. Camilla has also offered love and support to Kate publicly and privately.
Shortly after his stay in the hospital, Carlos bravely broke royal protocol by sharing his cancer diagnosis in late January. The Princess of Wales was inspired to reveal her cancer diagnosis after the warm response to the King doing the same six weeks earlier.
Kate and Charles, pictured together during a visit to a medical rehabilitation center in Loughborough in 2020, have supported each other during their hospital stays and cancer treatment.
Royal insiders have said that Kate and Charles have become increasingly close, especially with their health battles this year.
Kate spoke about the ‘huge shock’ of her cancer diagnosis in a video posted on March 22.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, taken by portrait artist Millie Pilkington, in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on April 10, the day after their 19th wedding anniversary. The image is published today to mark the first anniversary of his coronation.
They both received their cancer diagnosis in February, although Kate delayed her public announcement until just before the Easter school holidays to tell her children at a time that was “right for them.”
Today it emerged that doctors have given the King permission to return to public duties after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Her Majesty is not yet free of the disease and is still undergoing treatment, but her medical team is understood to be “pleased with the progress made so far” and “remains positive” about her recovery.
To mark the good news, Buckingham Palace has also announced two major events, the first of many to be held in the coming months, and has thanked Their Majesties for all the well wishes they have received.
On Tuesday, the King and Queen will visit a cancer treatment centre, a deeply moving commitment given their own battle with cancer and that of their daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, where they will meet specialist doctors and patients.
There are also plans to host a state visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan in late June at the request of the government.
Officials also released a beautiful new portrait of Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, looking happy and relaxed, which was taken the day after their 19th wedding anniversary earlier this month.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said tonight: “His Majesty the King will soon return to his public duties following a period of treatment and recovery following his recent cancer diagnosis.”
‘To help mark this milestone, the King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment center next Tuesday, where they will meet specialist doctors and patients. This visit will be the first in a series of external engagements that Her Majesty will undertake in the coming weeks.
Additionally, the King and Queen will host Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan on a state visit in June, at the request of Her Majesty’s Government.
“As the first anniversary of the Coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world during the joys and challenges of the past year.”
Buckingham Palace has not revealed the nature of the cancer or details of the treatment he immediately began receiving.
Officials have emphasized that Her Majesty’s cancer treatment is still ongoing, saying: “Her Majesty’s treatment program will continue, but doctors are satisfied enough with the progress made so far that the King can now resume a series of duties facing the public”. Upcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risk to Her Majesty’s continued recovery.
They cannot, at this time, specify how long this will continue. A spokesperson said: “It is too early to say, but Her Majesty’s medical team is very encouraged by the progress made so far and remains positive about the King’s continued recovery.”
They added that “any public engagement will be announced closer to the time in the usual way and will remain subject to doctors’ advice” and stressed that it would not be a “full summer programme”.
Charles and Kate hug at the premiere of ‘No Time To Die’ in London in September 2021
Kate and Charles are known to have formed a strong bond in the 13 years since her marriage to her son, Prince William, when she was welcomed into the Royal Family.
And this relationship is said to have been “cemented” because both royals underwent operations at the same time in January.
Kate referred to “all those whose lives have been affected by cancer” in her public video message, adding: “You are not alone.” And this has also been seen as a clear nod to Charles.
Speaking about why Kate decided to go public, royal commentator Michael Cole told MailOnline that Charles’ decision to reveal his cancer diagnosis directly helped Kate.
“The decision was hers alone and she was encouraged to make it by witnessing the public’s reaction to the news of the King’s cancer, released by Buckingham Palace,” she said.
“The great concern around the world, with messages of support flowing in an endless stream of kindness and encouragement, took the king by surprise, as did Queen Victoria, who wrote in her diary how shocked she was when people shouted that loved her as she led the crowds to her Golden Jubilee in 1887.’
Cole, a former BBC television royal correspondent, added: “Kate has grown closer to the king, who has repeatedly referred to her as ‘my beloved daughter-in-law.'” As such, she was well aware of the public response to the revelation of the King’s cancer and how it had affected him.
He continued: “The tone was absolutely correct, with no false emphasis or hint of histrionics: simply calm, dignified, direct, very much like the princess herself.”
“The King was one of the few people who could see the young woman, sitting alone on a bench in her Breton sweater and blue jeans, in front of daffodils in full bloom, a traditional symbol of spring and new life.”
Meanwhile, a royal source said The times: ‘A factor in their (Kate and William’s) decision to go public would have been the great warmth and affection received by the King as a result of their announcement.
“It meant a lot to him. In a way, he served as a model.”
Kate and Charles smile as they visit the Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London on March 15, 2012.
After speaking in March, Buckingham Palace said the King was “very proud” of Kate for her bravery in speaking out about her cancer diagnosis and that she remains in “close contact” with her beloved daughter-in-law.
Charles and Camilla have publicly offered their love and support to Kate, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as the family tries to come to terms with the news.
The monarch, 75, feels great affection for the princess, who has been part of the life of his eldest son, the Prince of Wales, for more than 20 years.
Charles and Kate share a love of art, gardening and the outdoors, but now, sadly, their bond extends to a shared cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
The King and Queen knew the news about Kate’s health in advance and knew that she was preparing to broadcast her video message.
Buckingham Palace said: “Her Majesty is very proud of Catherine for her bravery in speaking out as she did.”
“After spending time together in hospital, Her Majesty has remained in close contact with her beloved daughter-in-law over the past few weeks.”
“Both Their Majesties will continue to offer their love and support to the entire family at this difficult time.”
The king, who took the throne 18 months ago, is undergoing his own cancer treatment, and Camilla said last week that he was “doing very well”.
He continues his duties as head of state behind the palace walls, conducting audiences and meetings of the Privy Council.
But he has postponed all public engagements after beginning treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer in February.
He spent three nights in the hospital for a prostate enlargement procedure, during which time his cancer, not prostate cancer, was discovered.
Online rumors about Kate’s health and whereabouts intensified after William missed, at very short notice, the memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, on February 27.
It is now understood that the Prince’s decision not to attend was related to his wife’s condition, but it is not known exactly when the Princess was informed of the positive cancer test.