Following the King’s cancer diagnosis, friends express concerns for Queen Camilla’s well-being. Dame Julia Cleverdon, a close confidante, highlights Camilla’s pivotal role, stating, “The real heroine… is Queen Camilla.”

The King, undergoing outpatient treatment in London, prioritizes her amidst his own health challenges. Despite the diagnosis, he remains resolute, with Dame Julia noting his determination to recover swiftly Lord Dobbs praises the King’s transparency, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis in overcoming such obstacles. He commends the King’s courage, urging others to confront similar challenges openly for better outcomes. Highlighting the King and Queen’s enduring bond, Lord Dobbs suggests hope for family reconciliation amidst adversity. He notes Harry’s visit to his father, hinting at potential healing within the royal family.

Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family. The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly the Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”

The duchess, who became the oldest member of the royal family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, made a rare appearance in October 2024 when she was pictured in a wheelchair for the first time.

Wrapped in a blue shawl, she joined her husband outside their Kensington Palace home, Wren House, to watch bagpipers play Happy Birthday on the day he turned 89.

Elizabeth II gave the duchess permission to drop her HRH style when she stepped away from the public spotlight. But the duke and duchess were said to be closer than ever after Edward suffered a stroke in 2013, with Katharine moving back to their Wren House home.

The duchess attended events marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and was present for the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 2011 wedding, and the Sussexes’ nuptials in 2018 where she wore comfortable white trainers paired with a floral Erdem maxi dress and walked arm in arm with a staff member from the royal household for support.

But she did not take part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations nor attend her funeral or the King’s coronation.