Kate Middleton and Prince William likely had to sugarcoat her condition while explaining her cancer diagnosis to their youngest child, King Charles' former butler has suggested.

Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles when he was the Prince of Wales, told the New York Post that the present Prince and Princess of Wales likely took a less straightforward approach when breaking the news to 5-year-old Prince Louis than they did with his older siblings, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, 8.

"For Louis, I'm sure the conversation was more sugarcoated than it was with George and Charlotte," Harrold said.

"The older children can understand more, so I'd imagine it was a little more frank but undoubtedly staying positive, which is so important," he added.


The former royal staffer suggested that unlike Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis "probably doesn't understand too much" about Middleton's health woes due to his age.

According to Harrold, Princess Kate's two older kids will be "good supports" for her amid her battle with cancer.

The former royal butler added that Prince William and Middleton's "calm and collected" demeanor could "rub off" on their three children and help them cope with the series of crises that have hit the royal family in recent months.


Last Friday, Middleton went public with her cancer diagnosis in a video message shared on social media following months of speculations over her health and whereabouts.

The Princess of Wales explained that cancer was found in her system following her abdominal surgery in January, though she did not reveal which type.

According to Middleton, it took her and her husband "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."

Middleton said she assured her children that she is "well and getting stronger every day."

She added that she is now in the "early stages" of preventative chemotherapy and plans to focus on making a "full recovery."

Following her announcement, Kensington Palace released a statement saying that Middleton will return to royal duties once she is medically cleared to do so.

According to the statement obtained by People, the Palace also said that the princess is "in good spirits" as she undergoes treatment.

Middleton's announcement came just weeks after King Charles III revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer and was stepping back from public duties to undergo treatment.

King Charles expressed support for his daughter-in-law after her revelation last week, saying in a statement that he was "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did."

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People that King Charles and Princess Kate's bond will likely grow stronger in the coming days.

"He shares with William an impulse to protect her," Smith said of the monarch. "They are in this together, Kate and the King."


Tags
Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis