King Charles, Kate Middleton’s cancer battles make them more relatable to British public: experts
King Charles III has won over the hearts of many Britons as he faces his biggest battle yet.
The reigning monarch, who was crowned on May 6, 2023, at London’s Westminster Abbey, is currently battling cancer. The 75-year-old’s decision to be open about his diagnosis has helped the public connect with the monarchy on a personal level, several royal experts told Fox News Digital.
And it’s not just the king who has spoken about his health woes. His daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, has made it public that she’s undergoing chemotherapy.
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“This unfortunate health battle has not only brought the king and his daughter-in-law closer, but it’s also endeared them to millions of people around the world who have dealt with a scary cancer diagnosis themselves or that of a loved one,” Shannon Felton Spence, former British public affairs official, explained to Fox News Digital.
Prince William is seen leaving The London Clinic after visiting Catherine on Jan. 18, 2024, in London. The Princess of Wales was admitted to the clinic for abdominal surgery.
“They made the right decision to be transparent about the diagnosis – it’s the first time in history a British monarch has done that,” Felton Spence shared. “The king knows that this is an opportunity for him to connect with and serve as an advocate for men everywhere, and to really make a difference with early diagnosis rates.”
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“The Princess of Wales took more time to reveal the truth of her treatment, but she explained so poignantly that the decision had everything to do with preparing her young children,” Felton Spence continued. “I think we can expect her to be a bigger presence in cancer advocacy when she is well enough.”
King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Endurance event in Windsor Great Park on day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 3, 2024, in Windsor, England.
In February, Buckingham Palace announced Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer and is undergoing treatment. A “separate issue of concern” was identified during the monarch’s “benign prostate enlargement” procedure at the London Clinic.
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“Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” the palace said in a statement at the time.
In a video shared in March, the Princess of Wales, 42, revealed that she, too, is battling a form of cancer. Her stunning announcement followed weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts.
Kate Middleton announced to the world she had cancer in a pre-recorded message shared in March.
Middleton asked for “time, space and privacy” while she is treated for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered after what she described as “major” surgery.
Charles said he is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” according to a statement released by Buckingham Palace. The king, who received prostate treatment in the same hospital and at the same time Kate had her surgery, had remained in the “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law.”
The king and Queen Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time,” the palace said.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their coronation on May 6, 2023, in London.
By choosing to speak directly to the country and the world about her condition, rather than issuing a statement through the palace, the princess offered a level of intimacy and transparency atypical of a member of the British royal family. The king’s disclosure of his condition was also notably open by royal standards.
Police officers stand outside the London Clinic as King Charles III is admitted for prostate treatment in the same hospital where Princess Catherine had her surgery.
“King Charles’ openness about his cancer, [in particular,] caught many by surprise when he revealed his condition in such a public manner,” royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.
“His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was stoic to the end but never spoke publicly about any health issues,” he shared. “[It] was quite obvious her health was failing, especially to those at the palace who saw her going around in a wheelchair. I feel the public has warmed to the king even more [after he spoke out].”
King Charles III meets with patient Huw Stiley during a visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre on April 30, 2024, in London.
“Certainly, he has become much more physically close, holding hands with cancer patients similar to the late Princess Diana,” Pelham Turner noted. “He seems to feel at ease, putting others at their ease too, and portrays a sense of accomplishment talking about his planned trips abroad this year and events such as Royal Ascot and Trooping the Colour, where he hopes to ride his horse down the Mall to the event.”
On April 30, the king visited the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, where he met with medical specialists and patients. It’s understood that the cancer center has not been directly involved with the king’s medical care, People magazine reported.
In a statement previously obtained by Fox News Digital, the palace announced that the visit “will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead.”
Another upcoming event is scheduled for June when Charles and Camilla will host the Emperor and Empress of Japan for a state visit.