A royal expert has revealed the selfless reason behind King Charles and Princess Kate sharing their private health issues with the public.
Speaking to TalkTV, royal author Robert Hardman said the Palace are offering a “greater degree of transparency” in 2024 after it was announced King Charles and the Princess of Wales were undergoing hospital treatment for different conditions last week.
A spokesperson announced Kate, 42, was in hospital following abdominal surgery, while the King was due to be treated for an enlarged prostate.
While the nature of Kate’s surgery has not been revealed, it’s thought the King is hoping to raise awareness of his condition by being open with the public.
Mr Hardman, who released his book King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy in January, said: “There has been a shift in the way the Palace is now dealing with the media. With working royals, like the King and Waleses, the public does have a right to know if they are not turning up to public engagements.
“They hate letting people down but want to make it clear there is a reason and that’s how it goes. That was always the way under the late Queen. She understood if she was going to cancel engagements, that had to be out in the public.
“What we’ve seen is this tendancy for royalty – if they are undergoing some health issue – there’s a willingness to talk about it because it makes people feel less alone and encourages other people to come forward and get tested.”
Some felt that the King was “protecting” Kate in revealing his private health details after news emerged of her surgery last week.
Historian Dr Tessa Dunlop explained to the Mirror: “It is highly unusual for the Royal Family to divulge private health matters. In that respect the shared information about the King’s enlarged prostate was unprecedented, and it was also canny.
“Buckingham Palace doesn’t do spontaneity; the release of a statement containing private matters about the King’s health immediately after news of the Princess of Wales’ major abdominal surgery was deliberate. The timing deflected from his daughter-in-law’s major operation, likewise, the private detail concerning his prostate gave the public something else to think about. (The NHS website saw increased traffic on the subject).
“But beyond that obvious strategy, I believe there was something else at play. By sharing a slice of the personal, Charles’s statement served to underline the absence of any real detail concerning Kate’s condition. The protective King may as well have said ‘Here, have some information on me, but keep your prying eyes away from my daughter-in-law.’ Read side-by-side the statements are a powerful example of well-coordinated PR. Here was a modern, public service Royal Family, but one with very clear boundaries.”
It’s thought Prince William remains at their Berkshire home to look after their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Kate remains in hospital for around two weeks while she recovers from her surgery, while King Charles has since been pictured on the Balmoral estate ahead of his treatment.
