After Kate Middleton tackled her own cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment this year as King Charles fights his own battle with cancer, it’s no wonder that the royals have described 2024 as a “brutal” time for their family. But through all the hardship, royal experts seem to agree that one thing is certain: Kate is more ready than she’s ever been to step up and become queen.
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After this difficult year, Will and Kate are taking the holidays to focus on their family.
“No one could have expected what this year has brought for the Prince and Princess of Wales,” a family friend told Page Six. “Family is so important to them, and the children are the center of their universe. They wanted to start celebrating early. They’re focused this Christmas [season] on being with the family at home and then joining the rest of the Windsor family on Christmas Day. The Prince of Wales has said this has been the hardest year of his life.”
Another source agreed.
“I’m told she’s getting better and that’s indicated by slightly more frequent appearances … but it’s clearly been absolutely devastating and very difficult for her, and she’s not out of the woods yet,” royal expert Hugo Vickers told the news outlet.
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Kate may not have much more time to truly relax, though.
Another source told Page Six that, amid his own cancer battle, Charles “looks quite knackered up close and red around the eyes and thinner,” signaling that he may not be doing as well as he’s been letting on to the public.
“Especially for someone who normally looks so vigorous, but I suppose it’s only to be expected after 10 months of cancer treatment,” the insider added.
Charles will be continuing his cancer treatment into the new year.
A Buckingham Palace source told Page Six that Charles’ health is “moving in a positive direction.” But at the same time, insider intel makes it sound like preparations are underway for Will and Kate to take over the monarchy – possibly sooner than they had originally believed would happen. Of course, because this is Will’s father we’re talking about, that realization has put him under “tremendous stress.”
Fortunately, it sounds like his partner is fully prepared for when that day does eventually come. According to Hugo, “Catherine is as ready as she will ever be to be queen.”
Kate has been showing subtle signs she's ready for the job.
Those signs range from Kate’s recent fashion choices – such as wearing jewelry that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana – to the way that she and William have presented themselves and their very difficult year to the public.
“There has been a real change this year from Wiliam and Kate,” a royal insider told the news outlet. “Their openness is fresh, they leaned into that, and I do think it’s really resonated with people. They have a long game ahead and it would be inauthentic to pretend everything’s OK.
“You’ve not been hearing from a Kensington Palace spokesperson, you’ve heard directly from Catherine,” the family friend added. “It’s a real step forward that they are speaking directly to the public. You are hearing more of her voice and that will only continue, I’m sure.”
