Prince Harry in ‘painful place’ after writing about Kate Middleton in Spare: expert

Prince Harry is said to be “regretful” over writing about Princess Catherine in his explosive memoir as a royal expert revealed the princess is “doing her best” to deal with her cancer diagnosis.

Prince Harry has found himself in a “painful place” following his sister-in-law’s cancer diagnosis, according to a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex would be feeling a sense of regret for making so many revelations about his estranged family in his bombshell 2023 memoir, Spare, royal expert Tessa Dunlop told US Weekly.

“When you do discover that your sister-in-law has cancer and you’ve written stuff that can’t be retracted, that’s quite a painful place to be in,” she said. “I’m not saying it isn’t.”

Princess Eugenie, Prince William, Princess Catherine and Prince Harry in happier times, cheer on cousin Zara Phillips during the 2012 London Olympics. Picture: AFP

Dunlop said that the criticisms made by Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, about the royal family aren’t looking great now that both Princess Catherine and King Charles are battling cancer.

“They deliberately criticise the monarchy [and then offer] themselves as an alternative to monarchy. So then when the monarchy is in trouble, we do kind of make a comparison. Can Harry and Meghan really hold themselves off as the caring example now?” she said.

“They’re certainly going to have to be careful of their timing with any releases so that it doesn’t look opportunistic.”

The royal foursome appeared frosty in the days after Queen Elizabeth’s death. Picture: Getty Images

Dunlop warned that the Sussexes will now have to think twice before making any further revelations about Harry’s relatives.

“When that comes creeping in the door, that just reframes everything,” she added.

Meanwhile, Catherine will be “doing her best to join in the outdoor life” following her cancer diagnosis, another royal expert has claimed.

The Princess of Wales released a video last month revealing she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing “preventive chemotherapy”.

She explained it had come as a “huge shock” to her and husband Prince William and that they had taken time to privately digest the news.

Princess Catherine revealed last month she is undergoing treatment for cancer. Picture: Supplied

The princess added it had taken them time to explain everything to their three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, “in a way that is appropriate for them”.

And according to Jennie Bond, Catherine will be taking time out to recover and heal with her children.

“I expect Catherine and William will blank out any talk of her illness with the kids,” she told Bella magazine.

“She says she’s getting stronger every day so I’m sure she’s doing her best to join in the outdoor life – the picnic, barbecues and walks on the beach.”

Queen Camilla is showered with support for Princess Catherine during a public appearance last week. Picture: Getty Images

The late Queen’s former press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, recently praised the princess for delaying her announcement to speak to her family first.

“Kate got her priorities right by talking to the family and children first, and then telling everybody what is wrong, what sort of treatment she’s getting and that she’s getting stronger and hopes to be back soon.”

In the heartfelt message addressed to the nation, the princess explained how she had been recovering from major abdominal surgery in January 2024 before post-operation tests revealed that she had the disease.

Originally published as Prince Harry in ‘painful place’ after writing about Kate Middleton in Spare: expert