Businessman Gary Goldsmith has hailed his niece Princess Kate for handling the revelation of her cancer news “beautifully”, eight days after a video was uploaded in which she explains her diagnosis.
The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant, who was the first of this year’s series to be eliminated, admitted he had not spoken to Kate personally since he heard the news, but had sent her messages expressing his love.
Mr Goldsmith pulled out of the Celebrity Big Brother finale as soon as Kate’s cancer news broke, and said he had been receiving updates on her condition from his sister Carole Middleton – Kate’s mother.
He gave an interview to Spanish TV on Friday night, thought to be his first since an ill-timed article in Times Magazine published hours after Kate revealed she had cancer in which he said he didn’t believe she and her husband William were “at their happiest”.
Subsequently, the 58-year-old posted a grovelling apology on X, saying the interview went to print before he was aware “of the sad news regarding my niece Kate.”
He spoke to Spanish show De Viernes, with his responses being translated into English: “I have been in touch with my sister Carole to make sure my niece is okay.
“I thought Kate handled it very incredibly well, especially in such a difficult and tricky situation. I don’t know anybody else who’s had to deal with something like that, deal with their children and then have to offer explanations to the national and international media in such a public scenario.
“She did it beautifully. It was handled very well, she was honest and transparent and it does feel like she’s on the mend and it’s all preventive.”
Referencing the media speculation about Kate’s condition before she posted the video, her uncle said: “I would hope that they’re [the Wales family] more sophisticated and the people around them have shown more caution and they haven’t read or listened to everything that’s been published and have chosen to focus on their family first.
“But it’s hard to imagine that they haven’t been affected by so many comments and conspiracy theories. I have sent messages to Kate so she knows what I feel and the love I have for her.”
It is not known when Kate will be returning to front-line royal duties as her focus for now is on her recovery, with Prince William also taking a break during the school Easter holidays.
