The year the royals became relatable
When The King delivers his Christmas Day speech, his words will feel more human, suggests Rosamund Dean, who looks at how the family has rallied round as he and the Princess of Wales have undergone cancer treatment.
Last Christmas, it seemed very much business as usual when King Charles and Queen Camilla were pictured leaving church at Sandringham, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the family. There was certainly no sign of how 2024 would turn out for them.
But within weeks, everything started to change. In January, there were two Royal medical statements – Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales had undergone abdominal surgery in The London Clinic, while Buckingham Palace revealed her father-in-law had also been admitted to be treated for an enlarged prostate.
At the time, the very personal bulletin about The King seemed like too much information – although it did result in many men thinking about their own health. None of us were really prepared for the news that followed in early February, when further tests revealed he had cancer.
Coming around 18 months after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the news caused an outpouring of sympathy. The King, who had always seemed slightly distant, was now just as human as the rest of us.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate
There was an even bigger bombshell when, on 22 March, the Princess of Wales shared an update on her own health. After weeks of frenzied speculation on social media, she revealed in a very personal video message to the country that she, too, had cancer. Looking pale and simply dressed in a Breton top and jeans, she revealed she was embarking
on a course of preventative chemotherapy. Who wasn’t moved when she explained that, as parents, the priority for her and the Prince of Wales had been their children?
‘William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately, for the sake of our young family,’ she explained.
Royal they may be, but the message was clear: for Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, it was just as devastating to discover their mother was seriously ill as it would be for any child.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate. As someone who’s been through treatment for cancer myself, I was moved by Kate’s desire to protect her family. My own children were aged four and six when I went through chemotherapy, and sharing information with them in a way that was reassuring and age-appropriate was absolutely my priority.
I certainly wasn’t alone in my heart going out to Kate after that video. There was a flood of loving support. At one engagement, Queen Camilla was even presented with a large, handwritten note from a member of the public that read ‘Send our love to Kate’.
Public support
The King was also inundated with good wishes from the public during what must have been a dark period. There were pictures of him looking through ‘Get Well Soon’ cards, and on his first public engagement after the diagnosis, he showed empathy to others going through treatment.
When he and Camilla visited University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in
April, he was pictured squeezing the hand of one patient as they chatted about the side-effects of treatment, including fatigue and loss of taste and appetite. Talking to one patient who described having to continue her treatment later that day, Charles replied, ‘I know the feeling.’
In the months since, he’s soldiered through as many public engagements as possible with a smile, while often looking a bit frail and pale. His wife, meanwhile, has shown herself to be as stalwart as her late mother-in-law, continuing with engagements on her own when he couldn’t be there and putting on a brave face. Hosting an International Women’s Day event at Buckingham Palace in March, she was presented with a Barbie doll in her likeness. ‘Brilliant, you’ve taken about 50 years off my life!’ she joked.
The Prince of Wales has also stepped up to the plate. He’s had to attend more events on
his own, stoically smiling and shaking hands, all the while knowing his wife and father are dealing with the impacts of cancer treatment.
It reminded me of my own husband, who held things together when I was going through chemotherapy, arranging a patchwork of childcare so he could take me to appointments and cooking delicious, healthy meals to keep me nourished – even when I had no appetite.
When the ‘in sickness and in health’ part of the vows is tested, it really does show a different side of the person you love. The public view of Prince William is changing, too, with his favourability rating rising this year, having taken a dip after Prince Harry’s book, Spare, was published last year, along with ongoing news reports about the rift between the brothers.
Keeping the show going
In the past, there’s been criticism about The Royal Family and what they actually do, but now, with fewer of them on active duty, the ones that are have had a very busy year indeed. The Princess Royal has diligently continued to work, although she, too, seemed more vulnerable in the summer, when she ended up in hospital with concussion after reportedly being kicked by a horse.
Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, have barely had a day off – with Prince Edward being presented with a 60th birthday cake a few days before his landmark day at the Community Sport and Recreation Awards in Leeds. And although they’ve been doing a brilliant job, we couldn’t hide our joy and relief when Kate was well enough to attend the ceremony of Trooping the Colour in June. Despite the formality of the event, she appeared relaxed and happy with her children around her. She looked more like her old self when she attended the Wimbledon tennis finals, too, where she was given a standing ovation.
It was only when she and William released a family video in September to announce she’d finished chemotherapy that the nation started to feel she was heading out of the woods– almost literally. The glossy video showed the family relaxed and happy, playing card games and climbing trees in the Norfolk countryside. In the dappled sunlight, with Kate looking beautiful in a boho midi dress, the husband and wife were more affectionate than we’ve ever seen them before, holding hands and wrapping their arms around each other, with William kissing Kate on the cheek.
‘The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,’ said Kate. ‘Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey, I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright.’
It was a very human message that reached out and touched so many of us. One in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis, and while we may not be able to relate to the fallout of having a tell-all book written about us, we can understand what it’s like to argue with, and even be estranged from, family members, as well as dealing with grief.
Raising awareness
Both The King and the Princess have been praised for their handling of their diagnoses, using them to raise awareness, with King Charles being named patron for Cancer Research UK. Cancer charities have said the public focus on the disease has allowed them to highlight important issues, as well as encourage people to get symptoms checked out quickly.
A diagnosis – as I know – makes you keenly aware that life is short. Perhaps that’s why there’s also been a slight hint of thawing in the frosty relationship between Prince Harry and the rest of the family. The fact that The Royal Family’s social media accounts shared a birthday message for Prince Harry’s 40th in September was seen as an olive branch.
The Princess of Wales is gradually returning to full duties and has been preparing for her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey – something we’d all love to see.
None of us would claim to have a perfect family but, at this time of year in particular, there’s something comforting about being with the people we love. Many of us, I’m sure – perhaps more than last year – will watch The King’s Speech on Christmas Day. We’ll be reminded that the monarchy can represent history, stability and longevity, which is reassuring when there’s so much uncertainty in the world.
With their family dramas, disagreements and illnesses, the Royals seem more human now than they did 12 months ago. As this difficult year draws to a close, perhaps that makes the public appreciate them that little bit more, and wish them better times ahead.
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