King Charles was seen “toddling” down a hospital hallway in a robe, as he visited his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton while they were both being treated for their surgeries in January, according to a report.
The 43-year-old Princess of Wales, who revealed her cancer diagnosis on Friday, would regularly meet with the 75-year-old king at the London Clinic, where Charles was treated for an enlarged prostate and Middleton underwent abdominal surgery.
“When they were in hospital together there was a lot of toddling down the corridor to spend time with her. He has been encouraging and supporting her throughout,” told the Times of London.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Charles “has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks” since then.
“The King has always had a close, warm and unique relationship with the princess. She has a great love and respect for him and his position,” a source close to Charles told the paper.
Charles and Queen Consort Camilla said they “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time,” according to Buckingham palace.
The pair have regularly spoken over the phone over the past several weeks as family tensions have faded with both families learning of their serious medical conditions, according to The Sunday Times.
However, Prince Harry remains on the outs with the family and reportedly did not learn of his sister-in-law’s cancer until he caught it on televised news in California — the same time as the public, the paper said.
He and his wife Meghan Markle offered a very brief statement wishing “health and healing for Kate and the family.”
Harry made the trip to London in February to visit his father a day after his treatment began, but did not meet with his brother, Prince William, according to The Sunday Times.
Friends of the princess say she wanted to tell the public about her condition as rumors circulated about her apparent fall from the public view, further fueled by a photoshopped image of her family.
She announced in a video statement Friday that she’s been receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer, although the type of cancer was not disclosed.
“It allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly, have always been with her and her family and who don’t buy into the noise and gossip,” a close friend told The Times. “It was all her, she wrote every word of it, it came together very quickly.”
