It’s fair to say that King Charles’ second year as king didn’t go as planned. The monarch was forced to cancel a massive amount of royal duties due to his cancer treatments, and to this day remains locked in a fight with the disease. Meanwhile, his beloved daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, underwent the same challenging period, with their relationship reportedly growing stronger by the day.
If certain sources are to be believed, Charles sees Kate as the “daughter he never had,” and their relationship is stronger than ever. Still, one day, Kate is destined to take over from Camilla as queen. King Charles has seen both his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife in action, but it appears as if he won’t be giving his daughter-in-law any advice on what she might encounter when her husband takes the throne.
The king has given Kate advice throughout her time within the royal sphere, but when it comes to advice about how to act as queen, he won’t tell her anything. Why? Well, there’s a heartbreaking reason behind it.
King Charles and Kate Middleton have always had a very close relationship. When the Princess of Wales entered the royal fold for the first time, then-Prince Charles was impressed, and from there, their fondness for one another has been common knowledge. Kate has even been labeled “the daughter he never had,” and after what happened last year – when they both received cancer diagnoses – it appears they have grown even closer.
Royal expert Victoria Arbiter pointed out that Charles and Kate’s already strong relationship has likely grown more vital as they faced similar health struggles. Charles was diagnosed with cancer in early February, while Kate revealed her diagnosis last March.
Charles and Kate decided to step back from royal life to go focus on treatment and recovery. Speaking on The Royal Beat, Arbiter said they “would have found tremendous comfort in each other, going through something so similar.”
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith agreed, telling People Magazine that she believes Charles and Kate’s bond is growing stronger because of their similar health issues.
King Charles’ relationship with Kate Middleton
“He has always had a very good bond with her. I don’t think it is presumptuous to say that she is like the daughter he never had,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People Magazine. “He shares with William an impulse to protect her. They are in this together, Kate and the King.”
Shortly after Kate announced her cancer diagnosis in March of 2024, the Palace issued a statement in which King Charles pledged his daughter-in-law his support. The king said he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did” and added that he has “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.”
The statement was undoubtedly emotional, but according to royal expert Jennie Bond, one word confirmed that the two have an extraordinary relationship. In an interview with OK! Magazine, Bond stated that the fact that he said “closest contact” and not “close” was noteworthy. Moreover, the royal expert revealed that the two had lunch together at Windsor Castle less than 24 hours before the video was released, which left Charles very emotional.
“There’s no doubt that cancer has cemented an already strong relationship. It’s very touching to think of Charles toddling down the corridor to see Kate when they were both in hospital. And it is understood that the king was left very emotional after their one-on-one lunch at Windsor Castle the day after she recorded her broadcast,” Bond said.
“There are so very few people in whom a senior royal can confide, certain that everything they say will be secure. I’m sure that both Charles and Kate have found it comforting to be able to discuss their emotions as well as the chemotherapy treatment and how it has made them feel.”
“My beloved daughter-in-law”
Bond added that Kate Middleton isn’t “looking for a father figure,” but she and Charles have formed a “genuinely affectionate relationship.”
“After all, remember how Diana said Charles had always wanted a daughter. And he loves the grandchildren and now sees much more of them either at Windsor or Sandringham,” the royal expert continued.
“It must be particularly tough for the children to know that both their grandfather and their mother are ill. But I’m sure Charles, like Kate, tries to shield them from that and carries on being a fun grandpa as much as he can in their tight knit little group.”
Charles might not have publicly shown his emotions regarding his bond with Kate Middleton. However, the monarch revealed that he did cry after the enormous response to his cancer diagnosis.
Jennie Bond’s insights into Charles’ emotional lunch are backed up by a source from The Sun, who says it is “unusual” for them to sit down together.
“The king had already been made aware that the woman he calls ‘my beloved daughter-in-law’ had cancer. They would have had lots to discuss and share because just weeks earlier, the king had begun his course of treatment and dealt with announcing his diagnosis,” the source told The Sun.
King Charles and Kate Middleton’s relationship grew stronger during cancer treatment
“The King left his lunch feeling very emotional. 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.”
It’s now been months since that emotional lunch between Charles and Kate. The Princess of Wales has announced she is “cancer-free,” while Charles’ own cancer treatment is ongoing. He was said to have paused his treatment for his and Queen Camilla’s trip to Australia and Samoa, but the latest report suggests that he will continue his cancer treatment in 2025.
Charles, of course, is not getting younger, and while he received cancer treatment and was forced away from his royal duties for a while, some argued that it could be time for him to abdicate. However, that will most likely not happen, considering Charles has waited his whole life to take over the crown after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
When the day comes that Prince William takes over the throne, Kate Middleton will become Queen Catherine. Becoming queen instead of “only” the Princess of Wales will be a big adjustment for Kate, and one who knows all about being in charge indeed is King Charles. However, the monarch isn’t keen on advising his daughter-in-law on acting as queen.
Speaking with Fox News, British broadcaster Helena Chard said Charles is “one of her biggest fans,” referring to Kate.
“They share similar passions, and he recognizes her wow factor, empathy and resilience. She is solution-focused and is certainly the glue between Prince William and King Charles III,” she said. “Father and son don’t always see eye to eye.”
Why King Charles won’t advise Kate Middleton on how to be a queen
Kate might have been married into the Royal Family, but according to Christopher Andersen, author of The King, Charles sees her as the secret weapon to help secure the monarchy’s future. However, advising her on her future as queen is out of the question.
“King Charles was so impressed with her grace and grit that he bestowed a singular honor on Kate, making her a Royal Companion of Honour, an unmistakable sign of his faith in her ability to help carry the monarchy forward,” he said.
“But beyond that, the king is not about to be giving Kate advice about being a future queen. That would simply give oxygen to the notion that he might not be around much longer, and Charles III intends to stay put on the throne for years to come.”
Andersen continued by stating that Camilla is not interested in speaking with Kate about her life as queen. He claims they have a “grudging respect for each other.” No matter what happens—or when it happens—broadcaster Helena Chard states that King Charles is absolutely sure that Kate will be an amazing queen.
“King Charles is comforted by the fact that Princess Catherine puts family first and wouldn’t want it any other way. The well-being of the future heirs is paramount. He knows that when the time comes, she will seamlessly transition into the perfect future queen,” she told Fox.
Although Kate is cancer-free and could be ready to return to royal duties, that is likely not going to happen anytime soon. Exactly how, when, and how she will increase her royal duties in the coming months is unknown, but what is clear is that the turbulent time that has passed has given them a whole new perspective on life – which could affect Kate’s life moving forward.
Kate Middleton to focus on family during 2025
In a column for the Daily Mail, royal correspondent Rebbecca English cited sources that claimed William and Kate have gotten a whole new outlook on life, adding that the “trauma” has “changed” the Princess of Wales as a person. Moreover, one source made the bombshell claim that Kate won’t take on the same schedule as she did pre-diagnosis.
“There is no huge reset button that’s going to be hit in January,” the insiders shared. “What we will actually see is a slow continuation of the princess balancing her recovery and her public-facing duties.”
“Cancer impacts on your perspective, and what you have seen in the decisions they have made over the last year is that family and their children continue to be at the center of their universe,” another source told English. “Both Their Royal Highnesses have a strong commitment to duty, service and using their platform for good. But what they are working on is ways they can balance themselves as parents with being the Prince and Princess of Wales.”
Rebecca English added that Kate has “no plans—yet—for any full-scale foreign royal tour.” However, the princess “may join her husband on one short trip, should she feel up to it.”
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