Kate Middleton’s recovery ‘going well as Prince William sends message by getting back to normality,’ expert says
KATE Middleton’s recovery is “going well” with Prince William sending the public a message by getting back to normality, an expert has said.
The Princess of Wales revealed she is battling cancer in a brave video message last month.
Last week Prince William and Prince George were spotted cheering on Aston Villa in their first outing since Kate’s cancer shock.
And on Thursday, William gave a helping hand at a food distribution charity in Surrey.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said the “well-timed” appearance proves the royals are on their way back to normality.
He told The Sun: “Royals realise that every single thing they do sends a message in one way or another.
“It wasn’t just a question of appearing with George at an occasion that was enjoyable.
“It was a question of sending a signal that it was business as usual – as far as that was reasonable to be expected.
“If Catherine had been there, it would have been fantastic, but no one is expecting that.
“People wouldn’t expect that after her video message, which I think is the bravest ever on a health issue by a public figure in Britain.”
William has stepped back from royal duties to stay by Kate’s side and look after their three children.
King Charles has also rallied around his daughter-in-law following his own cancer diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla too is said to be regularly checking in with the princess.
Camilla has also been Charles’ “rock” following his diagnosis and wants to be as supportive for Kate.
The Queen has continued to carry out all of her royal duties and attended many events by herself after urging Charles to slow down.
Royal expert Fitzwilliams said William’s appearance sent a message that he and Kate are well on their way to resuming royal duties.
He said: “We know William is going back to royal duties shortly. The royal family obviously needs him.
“This was an important appearance, simply in the sense that it was what one would call normal.
“Obviously, with the royal family very little is actually normal at the moment.
“He is clearly looking after the children as far as feasible. I mean, it’s it’s a burden William has.
“It sent this message that things some things are going on, more or less as normal.”
INGRID SEWARD: Prince William is a pillar of strength for Kate
STEADFAST when his family needed him, William has proved himself as a man and future monarch of strength and compassion.
While he might not have been present during Kate’s courageous video address on Friday — make no mistake, he has been by her side every step of the way.
William has stepped up with school run duties and provided a “great source of comfort and reassurance” to his wife.
But he has also been a comforting and reassuring presence for the public.
From leading members of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day Service to enjoying cheerful banter with youngsters on a youth centre visit, he hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Just this week he visited Sheffield to highlight his Homewards project to end homelessness in the UK.
Even then there were few chinks in his facade — but Kate was clearly on his mind.
“She needs to be sat here to hear this,” he smiled, when the discussion turned to the challenges of young families.
But ultimately he is only human.
To have your father and your wife diagnosed with cancer within such quick succession is heart-shattering.
It’s a remarkable insight into the character of this young man that he has been so incredibly brave.
Theirs is a very private turmoil which has been brought into the public arena by nature of their roles as future King and Queen.
William must feel the weight of enormous responsibility, both personally and for the monarchy, of which he is now the public face.
But he knows his most important role is that of dad and husband.
He will make that his priority.
This is a distinct difference from the ways of the past, where your royal role came before the role of spouse and parent.
Think back to when the Queen was young.
WILLS’ PRIORITY
It was a man’s world then — and she was forced to abandon her children in a way that William is determined not to.
William and Kate waited until the school term was over and their children were home before making their public announcement.
They needed to be prepared.
In this, they will have had the wholehearted support of Charles — who knows what it feels like to be brought up by nannies.
William was also acutely aware of the lack of his own father’s presence in his life, especially when things went wrong.
In 1991, he was accidentally hit over the head with a golf club when he was at school and Diana was having lunch in her favourite restaurant San Lorenzo.
The call came through that William had been bashed on the head and they thought he might die so it was very serious.
Both Charles and Diana rushed down to Ludgrove.
William was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and then to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Diana went with him.
But ever a man of duty, Charles prioritised his engagements.
William is determined to do things differently.
Fitzwilliams added: “On the other hand, we know they’re not, and we know it’s a very difficult time.
“He and Catherine are attached to some 50 or so patronages – for example, mental health or homelessness, or the Earthshot prize.
“They know perfectly well there’s this tremendous cachet when either of them are attached to a particular institution or cause.
“Polls have made absolutely clear where the public support lies, and the fact that they are so highly regarded.”
On Thursday William promised to ‘look after’ the Princess of Wales as he helped out at food distribution charity Surplus to Supper.
Volunteer Rachel Candappa, 71, handed two get well soon cards to the Prince addressed to the King and Kate.
William, who looked visibly moved, said: “Thank you, you are very kind.”
When Rachel told Wills to look after Kate he placed his left hand on her shoulder and promised: “I will.”
It comes after Kate chose to delay revealing her cancer battle to protect her three children.
The youngsters were with their parents when the shock video was posted.
Sun editor Victoria Newton told BBC1’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that the children have always been Kate’s “priority”.
She said: “I understand that the Princess made the decision two weeks ago that she was going to do this public statement.
“The key thing for her as a mother, the priority was protecting those three children.
“She didn’t want them going to school, being asked even more than they already were.”
William and George cheer on Aston Villa
PRINCE George clapped and cheered Aston Villa with his dad William in their first outing since Kate's cancer shock.
The ten-year-old was spotted beaming after Ollie Watkins netted the opener in Villa’s home clash against Lille last week.
Keen Villa fan George sported a claret and blue scarf in the hospitality box.
He chatted and laughed with dad William as they watched Villa win the Europa Conference League match 2-1.
A journalist in the Villa Park press pack asked William if George was “now part of the pride”.
William replied: “Oh yes, he’s loving it.”
Prince William has been a loyal Aston Villa fan for years.
The prince, an avid football fan and President of the FA, has always raised eyebrows in footy circles for his choice of club.
Wills, 41, has never lived in Birmingham and there is no family affinity to Villa passed down through the royal generations.
But he revealed the reason while chatting life-long Wrexham fans, brothers Trevor and Alan Roberts, 73 and 76, on a trip to the Racecourse ground.
He said: “A good friend took me to my first game when I was yea high, it was when Paul Merson was playing for them.
“When we got relegated it made me want to support them even more, but it’s emotional and it hurts.”
During an interview in 2015 before Villa’s FA Cup final against Arsenal, the Prince of Wales said: “A long time ago at school I got into football big time.
“All my friends were Chelsea or Manchester United fans and I didn’t really want to follow the run-of-the-mill team.
“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.
“Aston Villa has always had a great history.”