Another heavy blow for the British royal family

For the royal family, news of Catherine, Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis was another major blow, sidelining one of its most visible figures at a time when its ranks were already depleted.

In addition to King Charles III, who has canceled public appearances to undergo his own cancer treatment, the family has been adjusting to the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022; the departure of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan; and the exile of Prince Andrew, disgraced by his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Harry and Meghan released a statement saying they wished “health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they can do this privately and in peace.”

Since Harry and Meghan, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and left Britain for Southern California, Harry has been estranged from his father, Charles, and his brother, Prince William. He visited his father shortly after Buckingham Palace announced the king’s cancer diagnosis in February.

The palace said Friday that Charles was “so proud of Catherine for her courage to speak as she did.” The palace noted that the king had visited her while they were both being treated in a London hospital and said Charles “has remained in closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law in recent weeks.”