As the Windsor family faces cancer treatment, they show a united front with every public gesture and personal tribute speaking volumes about their strong bond. This dynamic duo, King Charles and Princess Katherine, continue their journey through personal health challenges and royal duties, capturing the imagination and hearts of the people.
“The Monarch won’t allow any negative talk about the Princess of Wales,” says a royal author. The King protects his daughter-in-law against any royal family members who question when she will return to royal duties, and even Charles threatens the riot act against anyone who speaks negatively about Catherine. With his recent post, the King has sent a touching message and sweet wish to all of those continuing cancer treatment on their recovery path. Among those receiving a message of love and care is Princess Catherine. At that moment, she felt understood and uplifted by the kindness and compassion of her father-in-law that was extended to her.
Talking about Charles’s more protective role towards his daughter-in-law, royal author Anderson believes that the King’s devotion to supporting Catherine within the palace is raising eyebrows in the royal family. There are those inside and outside the palace who have criticized her over the years before the diagnosis, supposedly not shouldering her share of the royal burden for not going to as many ribbon cuttings, hospital openings, and plaque unveilings as the late Queen Elizabeth II, the King, or Princess Anne, for instance. In the past, Charles has remained silent about this and allowed the sniping from the sidelines to continue, but no more.
King Charles and Katherine’s relationship, strengthened by mutual respect and shared experiences, is pinpointed by both having been diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment concurrently. This shared struggle against the daunting health challenge has underscored their resilience and mutual support, with Charles expressing pride in Katherine’s courage to disclose her diagnosis publicly. Their bond, already strong from over a decade of familial milestones including the birth of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, now deepens as they navigate their health journeys together.
Their camaraderie, highlighted during private moments like a shared lunch before Katherine’s poignant video announcement or walking up and down the hallways to visit one another in the hospital, paints a picture of a relationship rooted in empathy and solidarity. Last month, King Charles bestowed a pretty special and history-making honor to his daughter-in-law Catherine. The King admitted Catherine to the Order of Companions of Honour. This honor serves as more than a personal thank you for Katherine’s loyal service to the Crown since she married Prince William nearly 13 years ago; it is also an acknowledgment of her contribution to the social activities at Buckingham Palace.
At a royal banquet celebrating the South Korean state visit to the UK, the Princess of Wales chose to wear the Strathmore Rose Tiara, which hasn’t been worn since the 1930s. It symbolized her respect and allegiance to King Charles, a gesture much appreciated by him. King Charles has also extended his familial warmth by involving Katherine’s family significantly in royal affairs. He made a gracious gesture by inviting her parents, Carole and Michael, along with her siblings, Pippa and James, to his coronation, further cementing the close-knit relationship between the families.
Such inclusivity highlights the deep and personal connections that transcend formal royal duties. In times of sorrow, such as Prince Philip’s funeral, the Princess of Wales has provided visible support to King Charles, showcasing their strong bonds. During a state banquet in Kenya in October 2023, King Charles III affectionately referred to Katherine as his beloved daughter-in-law, a term that he reiterated in a public speech in November 2023.
