King Charles holds his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, in the highest regard, according to royal biographer Robert Hardman. In his book King Charles III: The Inside Story, first published in 2024, Hardman quoted a close friend of the monarch who revealed: "[Charles] thinks Catherine is doing a wonderful job, not just with her royal duties but also bringing up his grandchildren."
A Warm and Publicly Acknowledged Bond
Catherine, 44, has been a steady presence in the Royal Family for decades, having met Prince William at university and officially joining the fold in 2011 as a full-time working royal. The warm bond between the King and the Princess of Wales is well known. During a state visit to Kenya, His Majesty publicly referred to her as his "beloved daughter-in-law" — a nod to the country where William famously proposed in 2010.
Recalling her first meeting with Charles during her engagement interview, Catherine admitted she felt nervous at the time, but added: "He was very, very welcoming, very friendly. It couldn't have gone easier, really, for me."
Shared Approaches to Health and Healing
The King's influence on the Princess has seemingly grown over the years, particularly regarding healthcare. Following her completion of the Three Peaks Challenge — which saw her climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours to give something back after her cancer treatment and raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity — Catherine highlighted the importance of holistic therapies during her recovery journey. "Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare," she said.
Charles has long championed integrative health — which combines mind, body, and spirit with conventional medicine — and serves as Royal Patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy. Following their respective health challenges, the pair bonded even further over their shared approaches to healing and recovery.
Health Journeys and Current Status
The 77-year-old king was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, a month after the Princess of Wales revealed her own battle. She announced in January last year that she was in remission, having received care for the undisclosed form at the Royal Marsden. Charles continues to receive cancer treatment, but announced in December that he was scaling back his medical care, which has helped ensure his health has not impacted his royal role this year.
