King Charles’ second year as monarch was far from smooth, marked by his ongoing battle with cancer, which forced him to step back from royal duties. His daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, faced a similar health struggle, leading to an even closer bond between the two.
Sources say Charles sees Kate as “the daughter he never had,” and their relationship grew stronger as they navigated their diagnoses. Though Charles has long offered Kate guidance within the royal fold, he has chosen not to advise her on becoming queen—reportedly to avoid fueling speculation about his future.
Royal experts suggest the shared experience of cancer brought comfort and emotional support to both. Charles has publicly praised Kate’s strength and continues to refer to her as his “beloved daughter-in-law.” Despite Camilla’s current role, Kate is seen as the monarchy’s future and a key figure in maintaining its stability.
Although now cancer-free, Kate is expected to ease back into royal duties slowly, focusing on her family. Insiders say her health journey has reshaped her outlook on life, and she’ll be balancing royal work with parenting for the foreseeable future.