Royal Family LIVE: Prince William ‘leaning on unlikely ally’ amid Kate cancer treatment

Prince William and his stepmother, Queen Camilla, have forged a close relationship while the Princess of Wales and the King recover from their cancer diagnoses, says an expert

The most challenging few months the Royal Family has faced in years has led to Prince William relying on an “unlikely ally”, it has been claimed.

After Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January she remained out of the public eye as she recovered – and for weeks, there was intense speculation about her health. Little did the public know behind closed doors she had been diagnosed with cancer.

Whilst William and Kate were dealing with how to tell their children this devastating news, the Prince of Wales also had to manage the significant challenge of his father King Charles’ cancer diagnosis.

Throughout all the difficult time there has been one person Prince William could lean on, an expert has explained, but it isn’t who you might expect. The Prince of Wales has been leaning heavily on his stepmother, Queen Camilla, according to Jennie Bond. She told OK Magazine: “Recent events have obviously brought William and Camilla much closer.

“They have been left, almost literally, nursing the Crown while the King and the Princess recover. Their teams will be working more closely to coordinate diaries and cover the engagements planned, and Camilla and William are bound to have been in much closer regular contact.”

23:03Antony Clements-Thrower
Reason why Sarah Ferguson will never leave Prince Andrew despite their earlier troubles
Despite having endured their fair share of scandals in the past, including a rather public divorce in 1996, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have remained incredibly close.

Claiming to be “the happiest divorced couple in the world” according to Sarah, the pair even still share a home at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor. One royal expert has claimed the late Queen Elizabeth may be at least partly responsible for the two remaining on such good terms.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, explained their strong relationship is unlikely to waiver anytime soon and Fergie is expected to stand by her ex-husband for the foreseeable future as she has done for so many years.

But the Queen, Seward claims, could have played a huge part in this, suggesting her advice may be responsible for keeping them close. She said: “Sarah must have talked to the Queen and she must have said ‘Please look after Andrew for me’. And that’s what she is going to do. I don’t think she will leave him and I don’t think they’ll get married again.”

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22:31Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince William and Kate Middleton ‘have unique takeaway privilege other royals don’t’
Prince William and Princess Kate have a ‘unique’ privilege when it comes to takeaways other members of the Royal Family aren’t believed to enjoy.

Like many other families, the couple are believed to occasionally indulge in a takeaway, with Indian and Chinese cuisine believed to be their preferences. However, unlike some of their relatives who reportedly have to collect their food delivery from the Palace gates, Prince William and Princess Kate have the luxury of having it brought directly to their door.

As reported by OK! magazine, the pair confirmed to BBC Radio 1’s Scott Mills in 2017 they are “absolutely” permitted to order a takeaway. It’s been teased their royal status doesn’t hinder their ability to enjoy such a treat.

20:05Antony Clements-Thrower
Reunion of Prince Harry and Prince William ‘likely’ and King Charles to ‘play peacemaker’
In a major boost to the monarchy, King Charles has progressed well enough during his cancer treatment to return to some public duties – and there might be another bright spark coming up in the weeks ahead.

One royal expert has claimed, given the health challenges the royals are dealing with, when Harry next returns, it is “likely” he will reunite with Prince William and Charles may even try to facilitate a truce between the warring brothers.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold said the King will likely be hoping to “play peacemaker” between his two sons, who have long had a strained relationship.

18:56Antony Clements-Thrower
Prince William ‘leaning on unlikely ally’ amid Kate Middleton cancer treatment, expert claims
The last few months have been some of the most challenging Prince William and the rest of the Royal Family have had to deal with in recent years, but amid all of the difficulties, an expert has claimed the Prince of Wales has been able to lean on someone who might seem an “unlikely ally”.

After Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January she remained out of the public eye as she recovered – and for weeks, there was intense speculation online about the status of her health, but little did the public know behind closed doors she had been diagnosed with cancer and was advised to start a course of preventative chemotherapy.

Throughout all this stress, there’s only been one person Prince William could really lean on, an expert has explained, but it isn’t who you might expect.

Prince William has had support form an unexpected place (
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16:47Antony Clements-Thrower
‘Deep bond’ between Kate and King Charles will help them through trying time – expert
After some of the most difficult months in the history of a modern monarchy, the Royal Family is finally getting some good news, with a major update given by Buckingham Palace on King Charles’ health.

The palace has announced the King will be able to resume some “public-facing duties” after being able to conduct engagements on the advice of his medical team.

The King has made such good progress his doctors have revised their advice and given the monarch the go-ahead to continue some public duties – which includes a long-awaited state visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan in June.

For the time being, Kate will remain off-duty, focussing on her recovery in private, however, the close bond she has built with King Charles over the years will continue to be a source of support.

Both King Charles and Princess Kate being treated for cancer, but their ‘deep bond’ will help them through (
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WireImage)
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15:48Antony Clements-Thrower
Late Queen’s favourite breakfast was surprisingly simple – but it was served spectacularly
The late Queen had surprisingly simple tastes when it came to food – and that included her breakfast.

One of her favourite ways to start the day was revealed in the book Dinner at Buckingham Palace, which is based on the diaries and personal recollections of royal servant Charles Oliver. One extract reads: “Every day begins with an egg, and they’re eaten for tea, too – with crumpets, if you’re Prince Charles.

“The Queen favours brown eggs, believing they taste better. Her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, ate her boiled egg, served in a golden egg cup, with a golden spoon.”

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13:48Tim Hanlon
Meghan Markle ‘terrified history is going to repeat itself’ with family dynamic – expert
Meghan Markle is said to be “terrified” that “history is going to repeat itself”, according to an expert.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, departed England back in 2020 when they moved from Windsor to Montecito in California. The couple’s relocation came shortly after they announced they would be stepping down from their roles as senior working royals.

And as the couple continue to build new lives in America, it has been claimed that Meghan is “really worried” that her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will miss out on building relationships with the extended Royal Family.

Royal expert Tom Quinn exclusively told the Mirror: “She is also really worried that her children will have no real relationship of any kind with their cousins George, Charlotte and Louis – Meghan loves the idea of having a big happy family and hates it when people describe her childhood and her family as dysfunctional. She’s terrified history is going to repeat itself.”

He added: “A friend of the couple – one of Meghan’s few aristocratic friends from her time in the UK – told me Meghan does miss some aspects of life in the UK and worries that her children will blame her if they never get to see their cousins and feel as adults that they have been deprived of what might have been a fun and meaningful existence in the UK as working royals.”

Meghan Markle pictured at a polo tournament this month (
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AP)
12:42Tim Hanlon
Three cheap plants King Charles’ gardener swears by as they bloom beautifully
King Charles’ gardens at Highgrove House have been under the monarch’s dutiful care for decades, and draw many visitors each year for their delicate beauty.

The King has always had a core role in the design of his gardens, and is well known for his love of the outdoors – and for using sustainable growing methods to create beautiful green spaces. Since taking the throne he has also turned his eye to the gardens at Sandringham, creating a new climate-friendly topiary garden in his Norfolk residence.

As many keen gardeners know, this time of year is a great moment to get planting, and if you’re looking to take your own green space to the next level and fill it with plants fit for a member of the Royal Family, then you should take note of these three recommendations from one of his gardeners.

Jack Stooks, who is a member of the Highgrove Estate team, explained to Fabulous his top three plant recommendations for people looking to take things up a notch in their garden design, while remaining on a budget of course.

The royal gardener explains that if you are looking to add some height to your planting, then his first port of call would always be a clematis. He said: “I always recommend for height you want like a clematis which are really really good. The Montana Clematis – they normally like either pinks or whites – and once you’ve got them and they go up and over a wall or a fence, they do amazingly and they just keep coming year after year after year.”

The royal gardener’s second recommendation is the Hydrangea Annabelle. This variety is a little bit less fussy than other hydrangeas when it comes to the soil it needs. Most hydrangeas need ericaceous soil, but this one can be planted happily in any kind – and it produces a gorgeous display of voluminous, dome-shaped white flowers.

Jack’s final recommendation is a staple of British gardens, and for good reason: lavender. Hardy, colourful, and bringing a delicious scent to your garden, this plant is absolutely beloved by pollinators and will help attract much-needed wildlife to your green space.

12:39Tim Hanlon
Charles and Camilla’s ‘private’ anniversary celebration marked another landmark
With Charles undergoing treatment for cancer, when his 19th wedding anniversary to Camilla rolled around, it was a low-key occasion – but the couple took the opportunity to mark another huge landmark.

Buckingham Palace has announced that Charles will be returning “to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis” and the significant update was accompanied by a sweet photograph of Charles and Camilla on their anniversary.

Snapped by Millie Pilkington, Camilla is seen smiling widely and wearing an indigo day dress with velvet detailing by Fiona Clare, and holding onto Charles’ arm. Whilst the monarch, looking smart in a light grey suit, pink shirt, and blue tie, looks adoringly down at his wife.

Former royal butler, Grant Harrold, expressed ahead of the King and Queen’s 19th wedding anniversary, that the occasion would likely be an “emotional” one this year, and one that the couple would be celebrating privately. Harrold was in attendance when the King and Queen tied the knot back in 2005 and bore witness to the couple’s happy ending to a controversial love story that has spanned decades.

“I can’t believe it’s 19 years this year. I was there that day, in the church. They’ll celebrate it, but they’re not big [on celebrations]. They don’t have parties or anything like that at all,” the former royal butler explained previously. “I’m sure this year will be a bit more poignant and probably a bit emotional with everything going on,” the expert added.

Charles and Camilla pictured together after his cancer update (
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PA)