Kate and Charles’ heart-to-heart hours before Princess revealed cancer diagnosis to the world: King was left ‘feeling very emotional’ after private lunch with daughter-in-law – as sources say shared health battle has ‘cemented’ special bond
King Charles was left ‘feeling very emotional’ after having a private lunch with the Princess of Wales the day before she courageously revealed her cancer diagnosis to the world.
The 75-year-old monarch travelled from London to Windsor Castle on Thursday for a heart-to-heart with his ‘beloved’ daughter-in-law.
It is believed Princess Kate, 42, wanted to confide in Charles about how he was coping in his own fight against the disease, reported The Sun.
The Princess of Wales also discussed her emotional video where she sat on a park bench and told the nation about her ‘huge shock’ at discovering she had cancer.
The intimate sit-down lunch between the pair cements further the strong bond Kate and Charles share with the King lovingly describing the Princess as his ‘beloved daughter in-law‘.
Months earlier, Charles had donned his dressing robe and ‘toddled’ over to comfort Princess Kate as they both recovered from surgery at the London Clinic.
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King Charles was left ‘feeling very emotional’ after having a private lunch with Kate Middleton the day before she courageously revealed her cancer diagnosis to the world
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It is believed Princess Kate, 42, wanted to confide in Charles about how he was coping in his own fight against the disease
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The intimate sit-down lunch between the pair cements further the strong bond Kate and Charles share with the King lovingly describing the Princess as his ‘beloved daughter in-law’
A source said Charles and Kate would have had a lot to discuss during the Windsor Castle lunch with the King only weeks earlier starting his course of treatment.
‘The King left his lunch feeling very emotional,’ they said.
‘They are very close and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter.
‘There is no doubt there is a lot they can share and can use each other for support during their own deeply personal cancer battles.’
Meanwhile, insiders told the Sunday Times that King Charles, who was treated for an enlarged prostate, was seen ‘toddling’ from his hospital bed, to see Kate along the corridor.
At the time, the Princess had undergone major abdominal surgery – not thought to be for a malign condition – but post-operative tests found signs of cancer.
The idea of the sprightly King comforting his daughter-in-law – as they both dealt with major health curveballs – will warm the hearts of millions across the nation.
Kate and Charles have taken comfort in one another with the pair both battling cancer at the same time, one well-placed source told The Telegraph.
‘They can both empathise with what the other is going through, which does help at a difficult time like this,’ they said.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
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King Charles III, himself undergoing treatment for cancer, pictured arriving at Clarence House on Tuesday
‘What we’ve seen in recent weeks is that because they are both going through the same health experience it’s cemented that bond.’
The King treats Kate like the daughter he never had and has a ‘soft spot’ for her with the Princess often turning to His Majesty for guidance on royal matters.
‘He’s not a father figure as such – she’s got her own dad to whom she’s absolutely devoted – but you could say the King treats her like the daughter he never had,’ the source added.
‘You see it in the pictures of them together. That relationship is best summed up in those fascinating moments when she greets him first with a kiss and then with a curtsey.’
Another insider said: ‘There is a very strong relationship between their majesties and the Waleses. They are very close, even more so at the moment.’
A further source added to The Times: ‘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.’
Details of the touching support meeting emerged tonight as it was also suggested the King is hoping to attend the royal family’s traditional Easter Sunday service.
It may be his first public appearance after the Princess of Wales revealed she has cancer.
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The King and Queen pictured with the Prince and Princess of Wales during their visit to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Loughborough, Warwickshire, in 2020
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King Charles arrives at the London Clinic in Marylebone this morning for treatment
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart The London Clinic in central London where he had undergone prostate surgery on January 29
He may attend a smaller version of the annual service at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel alongside the Queen if his health allows.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children will not attend next week’s service after Kate said she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in an emotional video message on Friday.
It is not likely to be a large family gathering or service, according to The Telegraph, as the King has paused public-facing royal duties.
Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where Kate had abdominal surgery.
In an emotional video message, Kate spoke about the ‘huge shock’ after tests identified cancer following the surgery and the ‘incredibly tough couple of months’ her family have experienced, with her voice cracking with emotion at times during the footage.
Charles is said to be ‘proud’ of his ‘beloved’ daughter-in-law for her ‘courage’ in speaking about her treatment and has remained in close contact during the past few weeks.
Words of support also came from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who said: ‘We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.’
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A view of breaking news on television is announced that Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton is diagnosed with cancer
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It has been confirmed that the family will not attend the Easter service in Windsor next Sunday
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Princess Kate (pictured) said she’s ‘extremely moved’ by the love and support she’s been given following her cancer diagnosis
The form of cancer has not been disclosed but the future Queen began a course of ‘preventative chemotherapy’ late in February, and is said to have a positive mindset for her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as ‘well and getting stronger every day’.
William and Kate have focused on their children, taking the time to sensitively share the state of the princess’s health with Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Well-wishers went to Windsor in Berkshire, on Saturday morning, including Linda Boby, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, who told PA: ‘It’s such a shock, she’s such a young lady and she deserves her privacy.’
Local Clementine Black, 49, a business consultant, said: ‘It’s unbelievably upsetting that Kate has to come out and say this because of online speculation to be honest.’
Political leaders of all sides have expressed sympathy and support for Kate and criticised what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described as the ‘intense scrutiny’ she has faced from social media and sections of the media around the world.
Lord David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: ‘My thoughts go out to The Princess of Wales, The Prince of Wales and their three young children at this time.
‘The strength of the princess – speaking so frankly, with all the pressures of publicity and bringing up a young family – is remarkable and is rightly admired around the world.’
On Friday evening, hashtags including ‘WeLoveYouCatherine’ and ‘GetWellSoonCatherine’ were trending on X.
It is understood the video message, recorded on Wednesday in Windsor, was released on the day William and Kate’s three children began their Easter school holidays, to take advantage of the break to shield them from coverage of their mother’s health.
The announcement may end weeks of intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about the whereabouts and health of the future Queen.
