SHE knows she has our love and our prayers. In the 13 years since joining the Royal Family, she has earned them many times over, and we thank her for all she’s done to bring joy and hope to the royals and to the nation.
And we thank the Princess of Wales for telling us herself of the ordeal she has been through in that elegantly worded message to the world: “I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”
Nothing could be more soothing and reassuring.
Of course, Catherine wanted her condition to remain private. She would wish it still, but for the shocking breach of her private records at The London Clinic.
The ultimate professional when it comes to presenting herself to the public, Catherine might have hoped to be left undisturbed until she was ready to face the public again – all glamour, all smiles, all duty. But it was not to be. At least – now we know the facts – she can allow the nation to show how much they love her as she continues on her long path to recovery.
She has been a remarkable and historic Princess of Wales, and while comparisons with her predecessor are odious her devotion to husband, family duty and the wider royal family mark her down as one whose contribution to public life is second to none.
Only now can we comprehend the turmoil and difficult decisions that have had to be made during her absence from the public stage.
Prince William held his head high, continued with his duty – did the best he could to have a smile on his face when obliged to turn out and undertake the public duties that are so expected of him – while inwardly he must have wished every day to be at home, with his lovely children, comforting and supporting his wife at this delicate time.
Catherine has a remarkably supportive family – beyond her children and husband there’s her mother Carole who’s tough, capable, and nearby. Her father Michael, a benign presence, and sister Pippa and brother James complete the close-knit circle that must protect her and shield her from the outside world until she’s ready to return.
What does all this mean for the royal family?
In one year the King, and now Kate, have been struck with the most cruel and invidious disease of all. Cancer has struck at the very heart of the institution, yet it cannot injure or wound it – for the royal family is formed of a thread that goes back a thousand years and more which cannot be weakened by human frailty.
In the past 100 years the House of Windsor has survived Edward VIII’s abdication, the loss of the British Empire, Lord Mountbatten’s assassination, the breakup of the marriages of Charles and Anne, the tragic death of Princess Diana, the Windsor Castle fire and, of course, the shabby behaviour of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Each one of these events prompted global questions about the relevance of a noble family leading a nation which had emerged from two wars and transformed itself into an innovative powerhouse in the world.
Why, argued the critics, does Britain cling on to its royal family when so many nations have ditched theirs?
The answer lies with Catherine, with William, and with their children.
They provide a continuity and a sense of hope that no politician could ever offer. This family unit encapsulates our dreams for the future, our love of tradition and pageantry, and their presence amongst us offers peace and harmony in a seriously disjointed world.
When we gaze on them, all seems well with the world – even if only for a moment.
That goes for King Charles too. And the less high-profile members of the royal family – all of whom must now re-adjust their timetables to fill the gaps – we must show our real appreciation for what they do which so often goes unsung.
And maybe this is the moment for the nation to re-adjust as well – to expect less, instead of more, from this core group of people. Social media must bear much of the blame for ramping up the pressure on the royals – a pressure which they have found hard to resist.
Photo-calls have become a daily occurrence – especially in the newly slimmed-down days after the deaths of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth – when, in truth, there is no need to have a persistent reminder of who the royals are, and what they do.
Prince William recently said he wants to do less ribbon-cutting – and maybe that was in response to the private domestic challenges he was facing at home.
Despite royalty appearing to its critics to be an ancient and withered institution, the opposite is true – people seem to want more and more, especially of the young family which now represents the future of monarchy.
We have to give them a break – and that includes William too. Whatever we want from them must come second to the battle they face at the moment.
After all, this is what Kate herself says: “We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery. At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
“For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
