A Royal Insider Claims Kate Middleton’s Recent Illness Has Changed the Way She Parents in One Major Way
A cancer diagnosis is one of the most shocking and traumatic things a person can experience (as a breast cancer survivor, I unfortunately know this pain intimately). It affects every aspect of your life, from work obligations to child-raising duties, as you go through often grueling treatment plans. But going through a serious illness like this can also make you think about life differently as well, and that seems to be the case for Kate Middleton. A royal insider revealed that the Princess of Wales has reportedly changed the way she parents her three kids with husband Prince William after her cancer diagnosis, and my heart goes out to her.
Middleton, who announced she was diagnosed with cancer in March 2023, is reportedly more focused on her family than ever before. Royal insider Ingrid Seward, who wrote My Mother and I about King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth II, told Hello! that Middleton is more focused than ever on putting her kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, first right now.
“It must have been very difficult for her to deal with her family and her illness at the same time, and she obviously realizes that the children have been through a hard time too,” Seward told the outlet. As a mom of three myself, I totally agree with Seward about how hard it is to juggle being sick and raising your kids (and I’m not even a royal!). The insider added, “I think the illness has made her keen to prioritize her family even more, because they are the future. Obviously, she wants to support her husband and the monarchy, but she’s going to make sure that she does it in such a way that it doesn’t take her away from the family too much.”
Seward described Prince William’s eventual ascent to the throne as “a looming, massive responsibility coming,” explaining that Middleton wants to “make sure that the family she’s bringing up are able to deal with it.”
“She is very embedded in the future now,” Seward continued, “and the things that are really important in life, like her children and her charity work, really resonate and become even more important. Being so ill teaches you to enjoy each day as it comes, so I think she has a new appreciation of what’s going on around her, and what she can do to make life better for other people as well.” It’s a good reminder for everyone, BTW, not just those who have gone through a cancer diagnosis or other serious illness.
In September, Middleton revealed that she finished chemotherapy treatment, sharing a heartwarming video. At the time, she wrote, “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
As part of the lengthy message, she noted, “This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
“Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life,” Middleton added. It’s clear this message remained true to her heart, as she ended up sharing a clip from that video for her family’s Christmas card this year.
Before you go, check out the most heartwarming and relatable photos of the royals being normal parents.