There can be few more testing times than the difficult journey the Princess of Wales has been through these past nine months. Since her planned abdominal surgery in January that resulted in a “shock” cancer diagnosis, which she revealed in March, Kate, 42, has had to come face to face with her own mortality, while also trying to keep worries as low as possible for her children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
And while there is still some way to go, the light at the end of the tunnel came into focus when the Wales family released a heartfelt video revealing that the princess had finished her chemotherapy treatment. It was the joyful news royal fans had eagerly waited for and underlined that, above all else, her family remains her priority.
“Catherine has made it clear that from now on, more than ever, her family will come first,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK! “She will return to work slowly, on her own terms, and William will completely support her in this. I don’t think he will exert any pressure whatsoever on her to increase her workload, because the days of duty taking precedence over everything have passed.”
Jennie adds, “This doesn’t mean she intends to be only part-time forever because these days there are other ways to be visible… Video messages and social media posts are all ways she could still be in touch and give her support to her causes, while still being there for her children.
"In 12 or so years, when Catherine’s full recovery will hopefully be well-established, the children will probably all be off into further education, and then she can concentrate more on her work… But until she feels comfortable taking on more, we must be patient.”
On how George, Charlotte and Louis will have been impacted by what their family have been through in the past nine months, the expert makes it clear that they need their mum more than ever.
“We should spare a thought for those children. Yes, I know they have been born into huge privilege, but they have a grandfather with cancer, a grandmother who was killed before they were born, a mother – the centre of their world – who has been made vulnerable by this sledgehammer of a disease, and a dad who is battling all sorts of emotions while trying to do the best for his family and his country. Those children deserve to have their mum with them for as long as they need her.”
While a full recovery remains the princess’ focus, a steadier return to public duties is expected to be the next step.
“I think it’s almost certain we will see her on Remembrance Day, if she’s well enough,” Jennie predicts. “There are also plans for her to host her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, which should be a joyous occasion, and I’m sure many senior members of the royal family will want to support her.”
The video of the Waleses provided a snapshot of the family’s life at their Norfolk bolthole, Anmer Hall, while a heartfelt voiceover from Catherine played over the top.
She began, “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.
“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
Bringing the video to a close and keeping love as the focus, she said, “William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light so let that light shine bright.”
As Prince William said himself during engagements in Wales last week, there is still “a long way to go” for the princess, but if the family’s new video showed anything, it is exactly who else has been by the princess’ side throughout.
“I don’t think it was any coincidence that after she talked about loving and being loved we immediately saw footage of her parents joining in a fun card game,” Jennie says. “They are quite obviously an integral part of the family and have undoubtedly been a source of enormous strength for Catherine through these past difficult months.”
There’s no denying that Carole and Michael Middleton have been a huge support for Prince William, Kate and the three young children. The ties that bind them were on full display as they were filmed happily playing cards together, revealing the family’s close relationship.
Reflecting on how the couple will have felt watching their eldest daughter go through so much this year, Jennie adds, “I always feel for Carole and Mike in all this, because this is their little girl who is facing a shocking and life-changing illness. While Catherine has been worrying about her own children, the Middletons have, I’m sure, been worrying about their darling daughter – as well as their grandchildren.”
And while Carole and Michael have been vital to the princess during this challenging time, Jennie says they are equally important to William.
“There is no doubt that Kate has given William everything that was lacking in his own family life. A loving, deep partnership, founded on friendship, passion and mutual respect, plus a broader, settled and happy relationship with his in-laws. They welcomed William into their home and treated him like one of the family. He can relax with them, trust them, and be himself in a way he can do with only a very few others.”
And while Carole has certainly become a second mother to William – who is said to prepare him his favourite snack of cheese on toast and keep a healthy stock of the sea salt chocolates he loves at home – it is Michael’s relationship with him that is, in many ways, even more grounding.
“I think the Middletons, and Mike in particular, must have been a massive emotional support for William in all this,” Jennie says. “As the husband, William is expected to be strong and shoulder the burden of all that has happened. I’m sure he has shared his troubles with his father, but it is the Middletons who have been there day after day, whenever needed, and I believe Mike must have become almost like a second father for William.”
Of course, it isn’t just Carole and Michael who have been there for the couple – her siblings have been too. The close age gap between Kate, Pippa and James has helped to create a lifelong bond between the trio, but particularly between the two sisters, whose lives mirror one another in several ways.
“Although we didn’t see Pippa or James in the video, they are undoubtedly also part of what is a very tight family unit,” Jennie points out. “Pippa has said they tell one another almost everything and often chat on a daily basis. It must be very grounding for Catherine to be able to be absolutely herself – not a princess, not royal – just
a loving sister talking to someone she can trust with her deepest feelings.”
When Pippa joined her sister and niece Princess Charlotte at Wimbledon back in July, it was the latest clear sign that, much like the supportive role Princess Margaret played for Queen Elizabeth II and the position Annabel Elliot plays in Queen Camilla’s life, Pippa will be there for Catherine through thick and thin.
In fact, this is true of the whole Middleton clan, Jennie says. “The Middletons have been a huge credit to the royal family. By keeping a dignified, low profile, they have brought no drama into the royal circle – and that’s something King Charles will be very grateful for.”
