The Prince and Princess of Wales are celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary, but the day is “bittersweet,” a royal expert told Fox News Digital.
Prince William and Duchess Kate married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London.
“This is clearly the most bittersweet anniversary Prince William and Kate have ever experienced,” says author Christopher Andersen. “King,” he told FOX News Digital. “Their marriage is stronger than ever, they have three beautiful children, and now they are facing the biggest challenge in their marriage.”
King Charles gives historic royal title to Kate Middleton amid battle with cancer
Prince William and Duchess Kate kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after getting married on April 29, 2011 in London, England. (John Stillwell – WPA/Getty Images)
In a video shared in March, Middleton revealed that she underwent abdominal surgery for an undisclosed reason and was battling a type of cancer. She is 42 years old and is undergoing preventive chemotherapy, she said.
On Friday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the royal father-in-law, Charles III, would resume royal duties. In February, the Palace announced that the 75-year-old man had been diagnosed with a type of cancer and was undergoing treatment.
Andersen said the Prince and Princess of Wales were presenting a united front despite ongoing health challenges.
Duchess Kate announced to the world that she had cancer in a pre-recorded message shared in early March. (Prince and Princess of Wales Twitter)
“It’s hard to think of a marriage stronger and built on a more solid foundation than theirs,” he shared. “William and Kate are definitely equipped to handle whatever life throws at them, emotionally and in every way. And with Kate and the King’s dual diagnosis, life has thrown so much at them. I did.”
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that the couple is optimistic about Middleton’s recovery.
“The couple is working together behind the scenes,” Pelham Turner insisted. “We’ve heard from people who are in regular, almost daily contact with the couple that William and Kate, in particular, are going about their day-to-day tasks as best they can.”
Click here to sign up for our entertainment newsletter
The Prince and Princess of Wales are parents to three children: Prince George (10), Princess Charlotte (8), and Prince Louis (6). (Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“Aside from being extremely painful, the abdominal surgery was also emotionally draining for Kate,” he said. “The couple had to come to terms with all of this even before disclosing their cancer. Prince William has made his own commitment and has ensured that his family can move forward with confidence.”
Pelham Turner said the couple has made it a priority to keep their children out of the media spotlight. While the princess was recovering, she kept a low profile.
There was initially speculation and gossip about Middleton’s health, as she had disappeared from public view and there was little information about what led to her surgery. Her distrust of the monarchy was further strengthened after the princess admitted to editing her official family photo, which was supposed to reassure the public that she was in good health. Palace officials struggled to regain control of the narrative as speculation and conspiracy theories persisted.
Duchess Kate underwent abdominal surgery at a London clinic. After her surgery, her doctors discovered she had cancer. (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
Middleton said in a statement that her condition was thought to be non-cancerous until post-surgery tests revealed the diagnosis.
“Of course this was a huge shock. William and I have done everything we can to handle and manage this privately for our young family,” she said.
Mr Pelham Turner said Mr Middleton was determined to give his children a normal life behind the palace doors.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The wedding of Prince William and Duchess Kate was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1,900 guests, including members of foreign royal families and heads of state. Thousands of celebrants from around the world descended on London to witness the pageantry and pomp of the Royal Wedding. (Max Manby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“together, [William and Kate] Pelham-Turner said: “They work hard to protect their children from worries and maintain normality in their daily lives,” adding: “On Prince Louis’s sixth birthday, Duchess Kate worked hard to protect the young man from worries. “We continued the tradition of baking cakes at midnight.” It’s a tradition she’s followed for years. ”
said Grant Harold, a former royal butler. spin genie William, 41, said he plans to make the couple’s anniversary a special day.
“Everything that’s going on with Kate, it’s not going to be public, it’s going to be very private,” he told the outlet. “Behind closed doors, William will definitely try to make sure she is pampered.”
Duchess Kate and Prince William announced their engagement in 2010. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“There’s a chance William will cook. He’s a really good cook, so there’s a chance he’ll do a little meal or something,” Harold explained. “Again, this will be a private affair between the two of them. Once again, there will be an exchange of gifts. I have no doubt that they will give each other gifts and that they will There is no doubt that the card should be replaced. ”
“Whether you’re inviting friends and family over for a meal or just them, it’s sure to be a special meal for them,” he said. “Once again, well-wishers express their love with cards.”
Kinsey Schofield, host of the To Di For Daily podcast, told Fox News Digital that Prince William has long vowed to be by his wife’s side, especially during difficult times.
Like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news
Prince William is seen leaving the London Clinic after visiting Duchess Kate on January 18, 2024 in London, England. Duchess Kate was admitted to the London Clinic for her abdominal surgery. (Max Manby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“I think it’s worth noting that before Prince William asked Kate to marry him, he promised Michael and Carole Middleton that he would protect their daughter to the best of his ability,” Schofield said. “We saw that throughout 2024.”
“He has remained stoic and fiercely protective of his family while carrying out his royal duties,” Schofield said. “There must have been a great deal of fear involved in taking on the role of the future queen, especially having grown up in a world that witnessed the death of Princess Diana and its aftermath. , driven by true love for each other.”
“They’ve both sacrificed so much for the Crown, but they’ve always put family first. That’s at the heart of who they are,” Schofield continued. “Their small family is at the heart of everything they do. … This is likely to be a touching anniversary. The Prince and Princess of Wales will no doubt have their wedding day in the newspapers and on TV. You’ll see clips of it, and maybe they will too.” What a great day for them and for this country.
The Princess of Wales and King Charles III are both battling cancer. (Stephane Rousseau – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“The House of Wales is a beautiful portrait of the future, happiness and hope. It’s a clean slate. There’s been very little scandal. Britain is looking forward to their reign, but not anytime soon. I think he recognizes how important his children are to him, and he wants that to give him the freedom to father them the way he wanted. ”
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that the Prince and Princess of Wales are “each other’s cheerleaders” and that is their secret after 13 years of marriage.
“We don’t try to take center stage,” Chard explained. “They enjoy the simple things in life, like enjoying the great outdoors with their families. They share similar passions and goals. Their competitive sports nature makes them keep the flame burning. Their personalities are compatible.”
King Charles returns to royal duties after cancer diagnosis
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Kate is determined to give her children a sense of normalcy. (Max Manby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“Prince William can be stubborn at times, but Kate is a peacekeeper,” Chard said. “She is very good at defusing awkward situations, especially when it comes to her husband and father-in-law, the King. This charming couple are genuine, charming, and approachable people. They are known internationally. They are highly regarded. They are an honour. They are very important to our royal family and to the future of our monarchy; in fact, they are the face of our monarchy. ”
Andersen said that following the couple’s special day, we can expect Prince William to take on more royal duties to support his family and, more importantly, his wife.
“Kate is not the emotionless, robotic Stepford wife that some people have accused her of,” he said. “There’s a lot going on behind that dazzling smile. … In that sense, she’s always been somewhat guarded. But now there’s a bit of a crack in the royal mask, and Catherine When the Duchess gave birth, we all saw the shocking news of her cancer diagnosis.
Royal experts say Prince William is expected to take on more royal duties to support his family. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“Of course, Kate has her own family, especially her mother Carole Middleton, who is a kind of emotional support,” Andersen pointed out. “But Prince William has to be her main pillar, beyond the fact that he really has to step up to support his sick father, the King. He really does everything for his children. Prince William has to be the one to pull it all together.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
