Duchess Kate and King Charles III discovered strength in each other as they each navigated their own journeys with cancer.
Royal photographer Chris Jackson recently spoke to Page Six while promoting his book Modern Majesty: A New Era of the British Royal Family, and talked about how the reigning monarch and his daughter-in-law bonded after being diagnosed with cancer at the same time.
“I think what happened with the King and Duchess Kate’s cancer was inevitable,” Jackson said. “I talk a lot about the adversity the royal family has faced over the past few years, but[they]had cancer basically at the same time, so it was really impossible for them to recover.”
Getty Images lensmen were able to witness how Prince Charles and the Princess of Wales were able to return to their royal duties stronger than ever.
“It’s amazing to see the recovery,” Jackson said. “And that created a tremendous amount of goodwill and positivity.”
Mr Jackson added that Prince Charles had returned to royal duties with “incredible energy”.
“You know, I might have one appointment a day with him, and he’d go to the investiture and then go to the dinner,” Jackson said. “Honestly, I don’t know how he does it, because it takes a lot of stamina.”
Jackson said Charles’ dedication to his country is also what drives him.
“He’s like a cancer survivor,” Jackson said, describing him as operating in “top gear.”
Jackson noted that family was “very important” to Middleton.
“I actually visited the Royal Marsden Hospital with her and it was emotional to be back where she was being treated,” Jackson said of the visit in April 2024.
Jackson described Middleton’s visits with cancer patients as “incredibly emotional.”
“It was probably one of the most powerful royal visits in years, symbolizing what happened to her and her return,” Jackson said. “And obviously she’s fully committed to her royal duties.”
Charles, 77, revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, while Middleton, 44, revealed a month later that she was undergoing chemotherapy for her cancer.
Middleton completed treatment in September 2024, and four months later the princess confirmed she was in remission.
Charles said in December 2025 that although he was not in remission, he was “responsive to treatment very well.” He resumed in-person duties two months later.
Jackson also talked about how Middleton and Prince William’s three children are approaching royal life, and what it’s like to work with former royals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
