The Princess of Wales has been working closely with King Charles as she gets ready to take on the most significant role of her life.
Amid his ongoing cancer treatment, the King has not only been meeting regularly with his eldest son, Prince William, but also with Kate, according to a palace insider.
“She and Charles had a private meeting about her stepping up sooner than expected,” the source revealed. “As you’d imagine, the relationship between the two of them is incredibly close and they’ve been a huge source of comfort to each other through their side-by-side battles against cancer.”
The insider added, “It’s also why Charles has taken great pains to give her plenty of space to recover for the inevitable moment that he and Camilla pass on the baton.”
A Possible Danish-Style Transition
There has also been speculation that the British royal family could follow an example set in Denmark. On January 14, King Frederik and Queen Mary ascended the throne just two weeks after Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication on New Year’s Eve 2023.
“Queen Margrethe is able to stand by as key advisor for Frederik and Mary, and that’s something that appeals to Charles — and even more so to Kate and William,” the source explained. “So it’s become a palace priority to ensure Kate and William have as smooth a transition to power as possible.”
Bonding Through Health Battles
As previously reported, both Kate and King Charles had their lives “turned upside down” earlier this year when they were each diagnosed with cancer. In the months since, their bond has strengthened as they supported each other through treatment and recovery.
Throughout this period, Charles hasn’t only been guiding Kate as she prepares for her future as queen — he has also been learning from her.
“Charles used to seem like a very standoffish guy — and he didn’t do much to make himself more likable or accessible to the public,” an insider shared. “Because she loves spending time with him, Kate’s been giving Charles a little nudge recently to let his guard down and provide the world with a glimpse of the Charles she admires.”
A Softer Side of the King
The shared struggle has brought out a different side of the monarch. “Fighting cancer at the same time drew Kate and Charles closer,” the source said. “While the world may have seen this stiff-upper-lip royal, Kate knows Charles as the guy with a silly sense of humor.”
These private conversations, the source told Woman’s Day, have become key moments of trust and reassurance between the future queen and the current king.