HOW KATE AND THE KING HAVE HELPED EACH OTHER THROUGH THE TOUGHEST TIME OF THEIR LIVES

Princess Kate has always been close to her father-in-law, King Charles. But now that their fates have collided in such a wholly unexpected way, the bond between them has grown stronger still, with the pair turning to each other for comfort as they came to terms with their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN & ALISON EASTWOOD

Not only did the King visit Kate's bedside when they both found themselves in the same hospital at the same time in January but also they have remained in constant contact throughout their ordeals.

CHARLES IN CHARGE

Robert Hardman, author of Charles III: New King, New Court, tells Hello! that the monarch, despite his own health concerns, has been "extremely concerned" about Kate. "He wants to make sure as much as he can that if there's anything he can do, he will do because, for a very fit and healthy young mother, this is a different order of magnitude than someone having to deal with [cancer] in their 70s.

"I'm sure he's been a source of comfort for her in the same way she's probably been a source of comfort for him," adds Robert. "I think it cannot but have brought them even closer together.