In a touching show of unity, King Charles and the Princess of Wales clung to each other amidst their health battles, bonds visibly tightening during Trooping the Colour in mid-June. Breaking away from tradition, King Charles affectionately positioned his “darling daughter-in-law” by his side as they greeted adoring subjects from the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony.
The pair’s camaraderie was unmissable as Kate leaned in for a hushed exchange that coaxed a chuckle from Charles just before the solemnity of the National Anthem.
Last year found Charles shoulder to shoulder with William, but this year’s switch-up was interpreted as a nod of respect to Kate and her choice to step back into the limelight on his official birthday. Grant Harrold, previously in royal service as a butler, dished to OK! about the significance: “It is changing protocol to show the King and Kate united with each other and going through similar battles, so I would say this is down to the King’s preference. The balcony [line-up] is orchestrated, so I have a feeling the King said to Kate, ‘You stand next to me.
The timing of Kate and Charles’ illnesses has been strikingly similar. Both were treated at the London Clinic in January, offering each other comfort during the early stages of their treatment, reports the Mirror.
Their cancer diagnoses were announced just a month apart, with Charles’ in February and Kate’s in March. Following Kate’s public video message on March 22, where she shared her diagnosis, King Charles released a statement expressing his pride in Catherine’s bravery.
He stated that he was in “the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law” and that he and Queen Camilla “continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time”. This public display of affection is a testament to their private bond, with Royal expert Hugo Vickers suggesting there may have been frequent hospital visits between the two.
Kate’s close relationship with Charles is well-known within the royal family, and she’s even been heard referring to him as “Grandpa.” This strong bond can be attributed to Charles’ efforts to welcome his son’s girlfriend into the family during the early stages of William and Kate’s relationship.
The princess has warmly expressed her experience with her father-in-law, saying he’s been “very, very welcoming, very friendly.” Back in 2004, she had the pleasure of attending Charles’ 56th birthday shindig at Highgrove and joined the family on sleek ski holidays in Klosters – the very trips that first caught snaps of her with William.
Just when things looked chilly after a brief breakup with William, Kate was included on a 2008 ski trip, solidifying her status back within the Royal circle. Sharing insights, royal guru and writer Duncan Larcombe reveals, “Charles and Camilla adore Kate, and I think they have from the very beginning. One of the very early signs of that was the fact that William got permission for Kate to come on Charles’ ski trip with the family in 2004 and 2005. Charles wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t approve of her then.”
He adds, “That was the start of this bond between Charles and Kate. He’ll be absolutely over the moon with how she’s grown into the role, how she’s made it her own and how the public have warmed to her.”
Penning down in her work Kate: The Future Queen, regal chronicler Katie Nicholl states, “William’s father was very fond of Kate and already saw her as a future daughter-in-law.”
In Katie’s book, a senior member of Charles’ staff is quoted: “Charles was like any other father: he was very kind and hospitable towards Kate from the beginning. He was delighted William had found such a lovely girlfriend, and she was made to feel at home.”
Unlike Diana, Kate quickly embraced rural activities such as deer stalking and shooting. In 2007, Kate and Charles were seen together, sans William, seemingly engaged in a shooting tutorial.
Thus, it was hardly shocking when Charles expressed at William and Kate’s wedding that the Royal family were “lucky to have her,” Later, when William became Prince of Wales in September 2022, Charles made a point to mention Kate in his address, stating, “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”
“Charles has always appeared to be very, very fond of Kate – and he should be, as they are very lucky to have her. Theirs is a good relationship.
The candid snaps don’t lie, showcasing the warm connection between Kate and Charles. These moments include the affectionate kiss Kate planted on Charles’ cheek during his coronation and the comforting arm she wrapped around him at Prince Philip’s funeral outside St George’s Chapel.
It’s no surprise then that the King has made such public and heartfelt declarations of support for his daughter-in-law. He understands that the future of the monarchy partly depends on her.
Her presence next to him on the Buckingham Palace balcony shows his commitment to supporting her through the challenges she has faced and continues to face this year.
