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Privacy Notice In the two years since Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the Royal Family has been rocked by a number of serious health scares and worrying incidents, with the cancer diagnoses of King Charles and The Princess of Wales topping the list. With so much to contend with behind the scenes, it’s no surprise that experts say King Charles and his clan are feeling the late Queen’s absence more strongly than ever. “I think they all miss her guiding hand,” Andrew Morton, author of The Queen: 1926-2022 exclusively tells OK!. “With the Queen as head of state and head of the family, they’d all bedded down quite nicely into their roles, and now everything’s been jolted around. All the illness which has assailed so many of the senior royals has knocked the whole edifice back on its heels.”
Queen Elizabeth II’s absence is being felt more so than ever before, experts say
(Image: Getty)
Despite Queen Elizabeth’s incredible legacy, change was inevitable. With royal roles re-jigged upon the accession of King Charles, the family dynamic has evolved and even senior members now exhibit a more relaxed, open approach to life in the spotlight. Nothing exemplified this shift more than the King and Kate’s decision to make their cancer diagnoses public knowledge, a move that would likely have been anathema to the late Queen. “There’s no question that the person who most wanted medical things to be kept private was the Queen,” says Andrew. “As soon as the Queen died, you didn’t need to be clairvoyant to know that on the death certificate it would just say ‘old age’, as it had with Prince Philip. Even in death they weren’t going to give much away.”
Queen Elizabeth was notoriously private about her health
(Image: Getty Images)
While it might not have been the former monarch’s desired way of doing things, Andrew believes that the Princess Wales’ decision to speak out was a wise move. “The fact that Kate made a very touching piece to camera at Kensington Palace was a very different approach and a genuine step change in the way the royal family deals with illness,” he says. “And given the public fascination with what was wrong with Kate and the hysteria surrounding it, I think it was a very shrewd move, as it burst that balloon of conjecture.” And, even though it is an approach the late monarch would never have taken herself, royal expert Duncan Larcombe exclusively adds that the Queen would have admired Kate’s composed display of resilience. “I think she would have been tremendously proud of how she’s dealt with it, especially with such a brave video,” the expert quips. “We all worry about our kids and how they’re growing up, but when one of your jobs as a mother is to bring up a future king, the stakes couldn’t be higher.”
The late Queen and the Princess of Wales were very close
(Image: Getty Images)
The Princess of Wales revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer back in March and released a personal video message. She said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment. “This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. “As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.
The Princess of Wales revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer
(Image: Instagram)
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.” The Princess continued: “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. “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.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnQueen Elizabeth IIRoyal FamilyKate MiddletonKing Charles IIIPrince PhilipPrince GeorgePrince LouisPrince WilliamPrincess Charlotte
