In a surprising turn of events, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have extended their support to Kate Middleton following her recent cancer diagnosis. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reached out to the Prince and Princess of Wales both publicly and privately, showing a united front in a time of family crisis.
According to sources, Harry and Meghan have privately contacted William and Kate to offer their support. This gesture comes after Kate, 42, revealed her cancer diagnosis in a heartfelt video message on social media. In the video, she shared that post-operative tests following her abdominal surgery in January had detected cancer, and she is now in the early stages of treatment.
In a public statement shared with PEOPLE, Harry and Meghan expressed their well-wishes for Kate and her family. “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” the couple said.
The last time the two couples were seen together was in September 2022, during a walkabout in Windsor following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Harry and Meghan had been in Europe for charity events when the Queen passed away, and they extended their stay to participate in the funerary events.
Kate’s announcement has undoubtedly been a challenging time for the family. She and William took the time to explain the situation to their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, before making the public announcement. The children’s school, Lambrook School, is currently on a half-term break, allowing the family some private time together.
Despite the ongoing rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, Harry and Meghan’s recent actions suggest a willingness to bridge the gap. A family source revealed that prior to Kate’s public health update, Harry and Meghan were unaware of her surgery and recovery. “They are aware of everything that goes on back in England, but are being left out of any details regarding Kate,” the source said, highlighting the lack of trust between the two couples.
Harry’s recent visit to the UK in February, following King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, did not include a meeting with William or Kate. A royal source had indicated that there were “no plans” for the brothers to meet during Harry’s brief stay.
In a bid to mend the strained relationship, Prince William and Kate have reportedly reached out to Harry and Meghan, inviting them to bring their children, Archie and Lilibet, on their next UK trip. Royal expert Tom Quinn suggested that this invitation was an attempt to reduce awkwardness and foster reconciliation. However, reports indicate that Meghan has refused the invitation, putting a damper on the potential family reunion.
Quinn noted, “There is no way Meghan would bring the children to the UK. William and Kate have suggested that Meghan and Harry bring the children and that the two couples and their families try to make up, but the suggestion is not leading anywhere so far.”
Harry is expected to return to the UK in May for the Invictus Games event, where he is slated to deliver a speech at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It remains unclear whether King Charles, Prince William, or Kate will attend, given the current focus on health concerns within the royal family.
The release of Harry’s tell-all book “Spare” and the Netflix docuseries have further strained relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. Despite these challenges, insiders suggest that Meghan is eager to move past the bitterness and find a way towards healing. “Meghan’s desperate to come across as the bigger person and end this feud between them – appearing like some sort of royal saviour could only do her image good,” a source told Closer.
While it is unclear whether William and Kate are open to resolving the feud, Harry and Meghan’s recent actions indicate a desire to mend fences. Following his February appearance in London, Harry outlined plans to see his family as much as possible during several planned trips to the UK this year. However, during his most recent visit in May, he did not see King Charles or Prince William.
As the royal family navigates these challenging times, the support extended by Harry and Meghan to Kate Middleton marks a significant step towards reconciliation. Whether this will lead to a lasting resolution remains to be seen, but the gesture of support in a time of need is a hopeful sign for the future.
