Kate Middleton met privately with King Charles the day before announcing her cancer diagnosis.

Famous

By Jack Hobbs

Kate Middleton reportedly had a private lunch with King Charles III the day before making the announcement about her cancer diagnosis on Friday.

A member of British royalty he told the people that Middleton, 42, and the British monarch, 75, share “a common health experience.”

According to author Sally Bedell Smith, Charles “has always had a very good bond with her.”

“She’s interested in artistic things and appreciates art and culture, so she has an affinity with the King because of that,” Smith, 75, told the outlet.

“They obviously have this in common and we can only bring them closer,” he continued. “It is a source of calm and comfort for both of us.”

Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer last month after undergoing screening for an enlarged prostate, is reportedly “progressing well” with his ongoing treatment.

A source close to the king told PEOPLE that Charles is currently planning a list of summer engagements without “committing to anything” and that anything he does will be “subject to the advice of doctors at the time.”

On Friday night, the Princess of Wales announced that she had been diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer shortly after undergoing abdominal surgery planned earlier in the year.

The princess, who had largely remained out of the public eye despite several sinister conspiracy theories, made the announcement after being spotted with Prince William, 41, during a recent stroll through Windsor Farm Shop.

A close friend of the princess. he told the London Times that the video “allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly, have always been with her and her family and who do not believe in noise and gossip” and added that “it was all her, she wrote every word, everything was put together very quickly”.

The same friend also revealed that during their time at The London Clinic, Charles could be seen in a dressing gown “walking” down the hallway to visit his daughter-in-law.

“There is a very strong relationship between Their Majesties and the Welsh. “They are very close, even more so at this moment,” the source told the outlet.

A spokesperson at Buckingham Palace I affirm that The monarch “has remained in close contact with his beloved daughter-in-law over the past few weeks” since then.

“The King has always had a close, warm and unique relationship with the princess,” explained a source close to Charles. “She has great love and respect for him and her position. When they were together in the hospital, they walked down the hall a lot to spend time with her. He has been encouraging and supporting her throughout.”

Charles and Queen Consort Camilla said they “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family at this difficult time,” according to Buckingham Palace.

The warm and loving affection between the two contrasts starkly with that of Middleton’s family and Prince Harrywho supposedly had no prior knowledge of the diagnosis until it was announced to the public.

“It is understood that Kate’s cancer diagnosis was not shared beforehand with Harry and Meghan (Markle),” The UK Times reported Saturday. “Multiple sources confirm that there were no such conversations and it is believed that Harry learned of Kate’s diagnosis on television, at the same time as the public.”

Shortly after the announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex managed to draft a statement.

“We wish health and healing for Kate and her family, and hope they can do so privately and peacefully,” Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, said.