Kate Middleton’s Close Relationship With Her Children In Light Of Cancer Diagnosis
Marrying into the Royal Family must feel like stepping into a completely different world. Not only is their level of wealth and influence unimaginable to many people, but they're forced to live by a restrictive set of Royal Protocols that have strange and seemingly arbitrary expectations for even the finest details of their lives.
With that background, it would be hard to imagine someone less relatable than a royal. But since she's become Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton has deftly kept a foot in both of these worlds. So, no matter how elegant she is, it's not hard to find pictures of her being a normal mom. And recent unfortunate events have made celebrating her strength of character more important than ever.
A rough beginning to the year
As The Guardian reported, the Princess of Wales underwent some major abdominal surgery on January 16, 2024. At the time, it was unclear what the nature of the surgery was, but it was serious enough to keep Kate Middleton out of the public eye.
The only detail — aside from the affected region of her body — that Buckingham Palace was willing to share about the medical issue at hand was that it was non-cancerous. It also wasn't the only health scare gripping the Royal Family at the time.
King Charles's cancer diagnosis
At the same time that Middleton was undergoing her surgery, King Charles was in the process of receiving treatment for an unspecified cancer diagnosis. The timing led them to be treated at the same place, and they've bonded over their journeys together ever since.
As a representative from Buckingham Palace put it, "Following their time in hospital together, he has 'remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks. Both Their Majesties 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time."
Middleton disappears from public life
In the months that followed her surgery, royal watchers noticed that Middleton had taken a large step back from public-facing royal duties. Once this extended beyond the public's perception of an adequate recovery period, rumors abounded as to what was going on in her life.
On March 10, those rumors only intensified after the Instagram account Middleton shares with Prince William featured a photo of her embracing her children that was edited to include her. Once the Photoshop was revealed, the mystery as to where she was only deepened further.
Middleton announces that she also has cancer
According to ABC News, that speculation came to an end in an instant after Middleton released a video message in which she explained that her absence was a response to her own diagnosis of an unspecified form of cancer.
This revelation puts the timeline of the edited photo after she started undergoing chemotherapy treatments, which began in late February. She also shared that doctors had thought her condition was non-cancerous during the surgery, which sadly turned out to be overly optimistic.
Time was needed to recover and start treatment
Although this news did much to fill in the blanks regarding what happened after Middleton's surgery, she mentioned needing private time to both recover from the aftermath of the operation and begin the arduous process of chemotherapy.
However, there were other considerations factoring into her public silence before this video message that exemplified why her elegant but down-to-earth strength as a mother has been the cause of such celebration. After all, this remains a deeply delicate matter for her family.
A difficult conversation had to take place
As The Guardian relayed, Middleton further stated, "This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family."
In other words, Middleton needed some valuable private time to explain what was going on to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis in the most comforting terms possible. She also reassured her children that she would come out of this situation in good health.
Her diagnosis wasn't known until after the surgery
Although Middleton assured well-wishers that the operation had been a success, its completion also prompted some tests to ensure there weren't any concerning after-effects. As a result of those tests, she became aware of her cancer diagnosis.
As she went on to say, "My medical team, therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment." Although the news was certainly grim, Middleton remains hopeful about her condition.
Gratitude and positive thoughts
In addition to thanking everybody who had sent messages of support in the wake of her surgery, Middleton also extended her gratitude to the medical team who had watched over her as she received the hard news. She also affirmed her optimism for how her situation would resolve.
In her words, "I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body, and spirits." She also spoke about how much the support of her family counts in hard times like these.
A request for privacy
As she continued, "Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance, too. As is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both."
Middleton also put out a simple request to the public. As she said, "We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now, I must focus on making a full recovery."
Words of support from the king
In the wake of Middleton's video message, King Charles spoke about his pride in her courage for putting what would normally be her private business in such a public statement. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was also among those who condemned the mass speculation that likely compelled her to make that statement at all.
Although Middleton's video message is indeed a powerful example of her grace, strength, commitment to her family, and personal warmth, there are shortage of photos taken in happier times that further show these qualities.
What are they looking at?
Kids usually have pretty active imagination, which means it's not unusual for them to be lost in their own little worlds. But as much fun as those worlds are, they make it very easy to miss to what's going on right in front of them.
This can be scary when they're about to wander into disaster, but it usually just means they're missing something cool in situations like the one shown here. And since Princess Kate knew Prince George would be disappointed if he missed it, she pointed it out for him. It's too bad it's so unclear as to what it was.
All together now
There's always something nice about seeing a family walking while the parents hold their children's hands. It's a simple gesture of affection, but it's surprisingly powerful in how loved and supported it can make someone feel.
Of course, that's not the only reason parents do it. Kids have a way of wandering, so keeping their hands firmly held is a handy way to know they haven't gone anywhere. That's especially true when they're members of the Royal Family because nobody should find out what a king's ransom costs the hard way.
Louis wasn't trying to hear it
Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee may have been a seriously big deal for the Royal Family, but that doesn't mean it was a big deal for everyone in it. For Prince Louis, it was just a boring event he had to sit through, and it seems he didn't mind voicing his displeasure.
Although she may have understood, Princess Kate knew how many eyes were on her family and scolded him about it. However, Louis chose a particularly bratty counter-move and just clamped his hand over his mom's mouth. Even a prince can't get away with that one.
Moms are great at finding ways to be subtly entertaining
Sometimes, moms are well aware that the family events they attend out of obligation are even more boring for their children than they are for themselves. And while they're responsible for dealing with that kid's behavior when they act out, they also know there are ways to prevent behavior in the first place.
So whether they're telling little secrets or quietly making fun of someone else in attendance, clever moms can keep both their children and themselves from getting too bored without disrupting anything. While it's impossible to know if that's what Princess Kate is doing without hearing her, those slightly mischievous facial expressions make it seem likely.
It's hard to get a nice photo with kids
So many people can remember times when their moms tried to arrange a nice family photo while they were growing up. But whether it was them or their siblings, there was always somebody who couldn't contain themselves and made a silly face instead of smiling warmly.
Whether this case of the sillies is contained to one person or spreads like a contagion,
A curious baby
After Prince William and Princess Kate had their first child, they found a special and adorable way to celebrate his first birthday. It may be a little hard to recognize from this angle, but they took little George to a butterfly conservatory.
And from the looks of it, it was the perfect idea! The curious little guy loved seeing all the pretty butterflies fluttering around while his mother held him close. The gentle way he was reaching out to them says it all.
Just a sweet little moment
Many mothers can attest that a child can go from screaming about how much they hate them to wanting to cuddle up to them surprisingly fast and vice versa. With that in mind, it's only fitting that the same event that saw Prince Louis rudely stick his hand over his mother's mouth also featured this cute moment.
It's unclear what was so funny for them, but it must have got Louis good for him to bury his face in Princess Kate's shoulder during his giggle fit. Of course, her radiant smile only makes this photo all the more cozy and sweet.
It's fun for her too!
It's true that there are a lot of things built for kids that adults simply can't use. They may fit the little ones comfortably, but grown adults will either break them or need to be rescued from them. But some things are fun for all ages.
This slide was clearly one of them, as Princess Kate looked like she had a lot of fun going down it. Those slides are handy because some moms will find they need to take their children down through it with them because the kids are either too small or too scared.
Whatever's happening here, it's a hoot
Although it's clear that the Royal Family is looking on during the British military's annual Trooping the Color ceremony, it's not nearly as clear what's upsetting a very young Prince Louis in this photo. He's always appeared bored and rambunctious during this ceremony, but did he detest them as soon as he was barely a year old?
Regardless, this moment can be very relatable for a lot of new parents. At first, it's heartbreaking to hear one's child cry. But when it's for a reason that doesn't really make much sense through adult eyes, it's hard not to find it a little funny.
The leader of the pack
During family outings, there's always one parent who's a little more apt to take charge in fulfilling the day's agenda than the other. And Princess Kate seemed to be that kind of mom when her family attended the Wimbledon games in 2023.
With Princess Charlotte's hand firmly gripped, she appears to be telling everyone where they need to go next as they silently look on. The kids seem indifferent to this at best, but Prince William looks a little proud of her.
The kids notice these things
Whenever photographers take candid shots of Prince William and Princess Kate together, they're often very affectionate and give each other loving looks. That may seem like it has more to do with their relationship as spouses than parents, but one has a way of affecting the other.
In other words, a couple's kids notice how their parents treat each other quicker than they might realize. Not only does it make them feel more secure when they make each other this happy, but it gives them an example of the kinds of relationships they should gravitate toward.
Yes, yes, very nice
There's nothing more rewarding about being a parent than knowing how much the love and care one shows to their children is appreciated. So when their kids act affectionate like this, it's often hard for their hearts not to melt.
Often, but not always. Sometimes the timing of that affectionate makes it a little more annoying than precious to a parent. But since it's not something they want to discourage, they just graciously let them do it while making a face to the other adults in the room. And in this photo, Princess Kate is helpfully demonstrating that face.
How quickly the tide turns
Of course, kids can be unpredictable. One minute, they're happy and loving, and the next, they're totally bratty. And Prince Louis's behavior at the Platinum Pageant demonstrated that perfectly. After all, it didn't take long for him to go from kissing his mother's face to sticking his tongue out at her.
And from the looks of it, he was thumbing his nose at her, too, which is probably why Princess Kate started taking his hand away from his face. A lot of people dread getting the very look she was giving Louis from their parents, but it's not like he could see it with closed eyes.
It was amusing at first
As this photo shows, this little burst of brattiness also presented another moment that many parents can relate to. Based on how soft Princess Kate's eyes appeared here, it was hard for her not to be a little amused when Prince Louis started his over-the-top taunt.
Since it's still pretty rude, it seems she had to suppress a laugh while trying to correct him. But as many parents can attest, such things are only funny at first. The more a kid acts like a brat — and especially the more they focus that brattiness at the parent — the more it genuinely gets on their nerves.
And back again
While it's not unusual for a kid to take a hard left turn into misbehavior without warning, the opposite can also be true. While some children are mature enough to apologize after they act out, others simply embrace their new mood and forget how they behaved before.
Without hearing either of them, it's not clear which version of making nice this is. But based on Princess Kate's facial expression, it seems like she's just willing to accept the return of her son's more affectionate attitude and move on.
A nice little day out
It's always cute to see a family having a nice time when they're out in the park. Granted, this probably isn't so much a park as it is a part of one of the Royal Family's many stately properties, but the principle is more or less the same.
A child laughing as her mother tickles her while her curious brother looks on. It's a pretty heartwarming scene and it finds Princess Kate on a happy day where she looks radiant. What's not to love?
All bundled up
Although a family ski trip requires a little more patience and attentiveness than one between adults, that extra effort is worth it to see the little ones have some big fun in the snow. That's especially true when they're bundled up as adorably as this.
It's hard to know how the actual skiing went without having been there, but Princess Kate definitely understood that part of the assignment because Prince George and Princess Charlotte looked so cute here! It certainly seemed like a good time.
Back to school
Although it's rarely so enjoyable for the kids, there's something about the first day back at school that often fills a parent's heart with joy. Sure, it's nice not to have to plan their whole days for a while, but it's also a sentimental reminder of how fast they're growing up.
In this respect, Princess Kate seems like any other mom here. And while some may point out that a lot of schools don't have kids dressed in uniforms like this, it's worth remembering that these stricter school dress codes are far more common in the U.K.
She's almost incognito here
Before most people knew anything about Princess Kate, it was clear that she's a pretty snappy dresser. It may come with the territory of being a royal, but her sense of style nonetheless came across as elegant without being stuffy.
But during the Big Help Out charity event that coincided with King Charles's coronation, she decided to wear something a little more practical for a more rustic day out. Indeed, those who walked past her like this might not have even recognized her until the event started.
She's not afraid to try
It's true that most people won't ever see their mothers pull a big tire using only their core, but this scene with Princess Kate nonetheless speaks to a phenomenon people experience growing up. Whether it's a matter of hidden depths or hidden talents, the lives a person's parents had before they entered the world can be mysterious.
While some families can find their histories carry unpleasant surprises, many others will flip through a photo album only to find interesting and lowkey impressive moments like this. Some people would never imagine their moms pulling a big tire around until they see it for themselves.
A little guidance on a special but big day
When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, Princess Charlotte was one of the flower girls. She had an adorable dress and a little crown of white flowers, and it seems that her mother had an outfit to match it. But that's not the cute part.
Naturally, girls aren't born knowing how to be flower girls at a weddings. So Princess Kate was gently taking her aside to explain what she had to do on a day that brought a lot of people and stimulating sights. There's no doubt that it helped.
Enjoying a big spectacle as a family
Although much of the annual Trooping the Color ceremony that honors the Royal Family can be a little boring for its younger members, that's not true of one part of the event. That's because it includes a spectacular flyby (or flypast, as they call it over there) featuring some dazzling maneuvers by the Royal Air Force.
Although not every family has been to an air show, so many can put themselves in these people's shoes and think back to times when their family witnessed something incredible together. After all, they even had Prince Louis playing the part of the youngest kid who just considers the spectacle a loud part of something he already didn't like. It's the part he was born to play!
A vision of the future?
It's true that Princess Kate is watching over Prince William as he tries out a bobsled in front of the Jamaican Olympic team in this photo. However, both of their body language make it easy to picture one of her children in this exact position when they get a little older.
After all, parents can rarely truly expect what kinds of hobbies their kids will take up. But if Princess Kate becomes as supportive about their pursuits as she looks right here, she'll be doing just fine as a mom.
Sometimes, pure fascination wins out
Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee saw Prince Louis go through a roller coaster of emotions. Some moments saw him rage against his mother, while others saw him embrace her with equal intensity. In this photo, however, he just seemed to be acting silly.
Although it's hard to gauge Princess Kate's reaction from this angle, this is often something parents will just stare at with a vaguely confused look on their faces. Some bursts of silliness make them laugh and others will annoy them, but Prince Louis doing a little dance with his cheeks puffed out inspires more curiosity than anything.
She already had the hang of motherhood
At this moment in 2013, Prince William and Princess Kate were just walking out of St. Mary's Hospital with a newborn Prince George. However, it seemed that his mother was already used to handling him.
Granted, waving is probably one of the easier things one can do when they're holding a baby in the other arm. But considering what more experienced mothers can do while holding a baby, it's still quite a start. The mom's multi-tasking instincts didn't take long to manifest.
At least there was something Louis liked
Although much of Prince Louis's behavior during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee suggested he found the event dreadfully boring, there was apparently one part of the festivities that excited him a great deal. Of course, Princess Kate could only laugh as he stood shouting with his arms raised and his tongue hanging out.
From the looks of it, there wasn't really a way for Prince Louis to do this from that position without accidentally elbowing his mother in the face. But of course, these things are easier to laugh off when they're clearly not done on purpose.
Everybody gets one
When Prince William and Princess Kate brought Princess Charlotte to the 2022 Commonwealth in Birmingham, they each got to go home with a little stuffed animal to commemorate the event. And there's something relatable in that.
It's not just the fact that even royals are unlikely to turn down a free gift, though that's a factor as well. But while parents of the past would have been inclined to get one of these for their child, modern parents are largely less afraid to admit that they want one as well.
A scenic family Christmas
Although every family celebrates the holidays a little differently, many of them might find this scene familiar. A family is warmly thanked for attending by someone who just finished leading a Christmas mass as everyone steps back into the cold weather.
Granted, most people aren't typically addressed as "your royal highness" by them on the way out, but the other details shouldn't seem too out of place. Of course, there's also kind of a 50/50 chance of the kids being this well-behaved.
What's he thinking about?
Although it can certainly put parents through the wringer when their kids are running around with noisy toys and screaming, they don't truly get scared until the children are oddly quiet. After all, that means they're up to something with some more destructive potential.
By a similar token, it's hard for parents not to turn into hardened police detectives when they catch their child making a face like this. However, it seems that Prince Louis was smart enough to hide the tells of his scheming behind Princess Kate's back. They'll never stop him now.
Doing it for the kids
When Prince William and Princess Kate's family attend events, it's pretty common for them to look more enthused about it than their children. However, it seemed that quite the opposite vibe was in the air when they took Princess Charlotte to the Commonwealth Games.
Although the two parents looked vaguely bored by what was going on when this photo was taken, Charlotte seemed to be all the way into it. Either that or she just spotted one of the snack vendors. That look works for that situation, too.
Keeping things tidy
For many moms, it's a natural instinct to want to keep things as orderly as possible, and that doesn't change when they're out and about. It would not be surprising to hear that a mom started the customer trend of stacking plates at a restaurant after everyone's done eating, and something similar is going on here.
After this "Together At Christmas" event, Princess Kate collected all the candles her family was given to tidily give them back to the church. Of course, she waited for Prince Louis to blow his candle out first. Otherwise, it just wouldn't feel the same for him.
A well-practiced reaction
It's true that this little girl isn't Princess Kate's child and she was likely genuine in her appreciation of her thoughtful floral gift. However, it's also true that moms react a little differently when a child is doing something nice than they do when a fellow adult gives them something.
The smaller the child is, the brighter and more excited her expressions are. It would come off as cartoonish and perhaps even patronizing if Princess Kate made this face for a visiting dignitary but it's exactly the kind of expression that kids respond to. After all, they like cartoons for a reason.
Mom instincts aren't easily turned off
Although moms often show the most care and consideration to their own children, it's not unusual for their nurturing traits to rub off on the other people in their lives. They'll adjust the collars of fellow adults like they're about to board a school bus, and whether these people admit it or not, these caring little gestures often feel oddly warm and fuzzy.
That phenomenon is on full display here in this meeting Princess Kate had with a couple of young children. Even without knowing what they were talking about, her leaning and shushing as if there's a special secret between them is such an adorably motherly thing to do.
A very common difference in enthusiasm
A lot of parents can attest that they'll find themselves getting more excited about certain family outings than their children will. Although this is most typically true when the day is starting, and the kids haven't given it a chance yet, there are definitely days when they're more interested in staying home and playing video games than in making memories together.
And that enthusiasm gap seemed to be in full swing during this royal visit to Wales. While Princess Kate and Prince William saw something to clap about, their kids looked pretty bored by everything that was going on. Just like other parents in this situation, they had enough enthusiasm for the whole family.
In rapt attention
This colorful photo shows Prince William and Princess Kate taking their kids to a children's party for military families. Although the parents were there in an official capacity, the kids would have seen it as a fun day with no additional context.
It's certainly cute to see Prince William gently guide Princess Charlotte as she played with balloons, but the moment Princess Kate shared with Prince George is just as precious. The little one could have been rambling about anything back then, but she was in rapt and supportive attention like he was delivering a historic address.
Some sweet priorities
Just outside of the frame here, the president of the United States was speaking to Prince William during an official visit to Kensington Palace. However, it was also a visit that went all the smoother because it wasn't being disrupted by a bored Prince George.
That's because of the adorable little moment shown here. He's happily riding his little rocking horse while Princess Kate focuses her love and attention on him. Even though the president was there, little George probably felt like the most important person in the room.
She knows how to make a kid's day fun
Although there are plenty of photos with her own children that demonstrate what a down-to-earth mom Princess Kate is, it's also true that it can come through just as strongly in photos with other people's children. And that was especially apparent during this visit to the Foxcubs Nursery in Luton, England.
She smiled brightly behind a fun little paper mask and it seemed she had already established a rapport with these children by then. Even with their faces largely out of view, it's easy to tell how big their smiles are. She could really make them feel at ease.
Working with a size difference
While Princess Kate supported her husband and brother-in-law after they entered a charity polo match, she also looked after Prince George. And while they watched the proceedings, George apparently felt compelled to start wandering down this little hill.
At least, it was little for the Princess of Wales. But it was pretty steep for a boy as young as George was at the time. So Princess Kate was able to gently guide her son down the hill without getting up, as this was the easiest way to support his movement while accounting for their size difference.
They grow up so fast
This photo shows Princess Kate taking Princess Charlotte to a Christmas mass, which may have something to do with the child's facial expression. But while her look of wonder stands out in this picture, it's not all that makes it precious. Instead, it's the fact that Princess Kate is carrying her in one arm.
That's because this photo captured a transitional period every parent goes through where their child is still small enough to carry, but big enough that they'll be walking everywhere soon. It wasn't long before she got too big to do this so comfortably anymore.
A firm grip
During one visit Prince William and Princess Kate made in Australia, it was clear that Prince George was still in the early stages of growing. Although most parents who visit the nation don't do so via an official government plane, they have been in a similar physical position to what's shown here.
If there's one thing kids are bad at, it's self-preservation. And that seems evident here, as Prince George appeared to be trying to push himself away from his mother despite being at the top of a staircase. Keeping a firm grip on a child while they pretzel themselves into uncomfortable position is a part of parenting they don't usually talk about.
