Royal Expert Reveals Queen Elizabeth's Possible Reaction To Charles and Kate's Cancer Diagnoses
Royal experts are sharing what they believe Queen Elizabeth II’s reaction to Charles and Kate’s cancer news would’ve been
Queen Elizabeth II is remembered for holding her own as a monarch in the face of personal turmoils and political storms for decades. In a shocking turn of events after her death, King Charles and Kate Middleton announced that they had been diagnosed with cancer. In early 2024, just over a year after Queen Elizabeth's death, the news came almost back-to-back, and both stepped away from royal duties at the start of the year to focus on treatment. Kate later confirmed in January 2025 that she is in remission, while Charles is still continuing his treatment.
It's natural to wonder about what Elizabeth would have done when the news dropped, particularly how she would have handled the situation. Royal expert Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE that if the Queen had been alive to hear about both diagnoses, “[She] would have been extremely concerned, but would have relied on her faith to sustain her. She would have been a good support for both of them.” She added by saying that Elizabeth was always the calm presence in difficult situations, “People knew that they could count on her.”
Meanwhile, the late Queen’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson told the publication that in moments of stress and crisis, she was “the glue that kept everyone together.” When it came to the fallout between Prince William and Prince Harry, Anderson pointed out that while the queen could have helped bring them together, fixing things ultimately comes down to them. A palace insider told PEOPLE, “She saw both of them, even after the estrangement. She also believed that you might have views, but you don’t have sides. She knew that families are complicated.”
A former staffer shared with the outlet that Elizabeth made the tough call to strip Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his royal role and push him out of public life, even though he did not want that. They added, “I don’t think we should underestimate what it would take for a mother to do that. Throughout, she showed that when it came to the demands of family over the role, the role would win out.”
Robert Hardman, the royal biographer, said that while people often focus on recent issues involving Mountbatten-Windsor and Harry, they do not define the Queen’s legacy. He continued, “But when you stand back and look at a 70-year reign and a 96-year life, those are important chapters, not the defining elements. She came into a man’s world, held that institution together, and handed it on in far better shape than people expected.”
The royal family will be giving a big tribute on what would have been Elizabeth’s 100th birthday next week. Along with a series of events, there are plans to unveil a new memorial design and even a dedicated garden in Regent’s Park in her honor. There is also a reception lined up for April 21 at Buckingham Palace, and Charles is expected to appear and make a special address during the event.
