‘Fragile’: Brutal royal truth laid bare

Palace staff have spilled on how Kate and William are faring – with an ex-aide sharing a blunt truth about the monarchy’s future.

IN LONDON

It’s no secret that the Princess of Wales is a major force within the royal family – and her absence from duties has been keenly felt.

The former private secretary to the late Princess Diana, Patrick Jephson, has laid bare the blunt truth about its wider impact on the monarchy, telling Vanity Fair “it all seems rather flat” without her.

“The future of the monarchy is William and Catherine,” he pointed out.

“And, as we know from any superficial study of the British royal family, it’s the women who pull the show together, who get out there and make things happen.

“So how fragile is the monarchy? Well, it’s as fragile as Catherine is, and at the moment, we don’t know.”

He continued: “Without her, the institution would surely be reduced to a shadow of itself. Given the Windsors’ drastically thinned ranks, she is the crown’s best hope by far. She combines duty and beauty with a piercing vulnerability second only to Prince William’s mother.”

The Wales’ at this year’s Trooping the Colour. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate’s undisclosed type of cancer was discovered during a planned abdominal surgery in January, and she revealed her diagnosis and the fact she was undergoing “preventive chemotherapy” during an emotional video message in March.

According to an aide who spoke to Vanity Fair, her and Prince William’s three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 – were kept from the truth of her cancer initially, but Kate was “determined to be honest with them and told them in a way they could understand.”

Sources close to the Wales’ also told the publication that the family are having a “terribly hard time”, but as their former private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, explained, Kate has “an inner strength” upon which she will be “drawing”.

The princess praised her husband for his support in her statement in March, and a friend of the couple added that he’d also, understandably, been struggling with his wife’s diagnosis.

“William is a human being like everyone else, and it’s been a really difficult time for him, too,” the source said.

“I think what’s important to him is that he’s there to support his wife and his children while continuing with his public duties.”

Despite the challenging period, aides stressed that when Kate does return full-time to public duties, she will “pick up where she left off”.

Kate is reportedly determined to resume her full-time role when she is able. Picture: Henry Nicholls/AFP

After months away from the spotlight, she made a high-profile return to public life this month at the Trooping the Colour parade – an annual event held in honour of the sovereign’s birthday.

A beaming Kate delighted fans as she travelled from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards’ Parade alongside her three children.

It was the first time she’d been seen in an official capacity since last Christmas Day.

It’s understood Kate – who spoke of her “good days” and “bad days” in her deeply personal statement on June 15 – now plans to spend time with her children and work from home as she continues with her recovery.

The Sun also reports that the princess is planning to hold more meetings in the coming weeks, including palace staff as well as members of The Royal Foundation and Centre for Early Childhood, although public updates will only be provided “when appropriate”.

In her statement, Kate had tentatively hinted at her future plans.

“On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.

“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.”

Elsewhere in her message, Kate opened up about the more challenging aspects of her treatment and recovery.

“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” she said.

“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”