‘As a family they need to take care of each other’

THE Prince and Princess ofwales faced the same tough challenge as many families in telling their children that a parent has cancer, a psychotherapist said.

Nicola Saunders said the word cancer “brings that sense of dread and fear” and it is confronting for youngsters to even question their parents’ mortality.

It is important children are told in an age-appropriate way, and parents should answer questions honestly and openly in a language they can understand, she said.

But she noted Kate’s initial diagnosis must have also been “confronting” for William, who lost his own mother Princess Diana at a young age.

Ms Saunders, who specialises in parenting support, said: “It’s really tough for families and especially for the Royal Family. Cancer is intrinsically linked to death, even though we know that many, many people survive cancer.

“They do need time to absorb this. As a family, they all need to be secure and take care of each other, just like any other normal family.”

“As well as Mila’s get well card, we will as a family be reaching out to Catherine to send her our best wishes.

“Many of the conversations we have had with Catherine in the past about Mila will, of course, remain private between us. But

we extend our love, support and well wishes to William, George, Charlotte and Louis at this challenging time.”

While the Princess of Wales is – as she revealed in her emotional video on Friday night – only just beginning her cancer treatment, Mila is now well and her cancer is in remission.

In 2022, the little girl was declared cancer-free and received an email from William and Kate congratulating her on being well once again.

The family were also sent a hand-written message from Kate.

In May 2022, Lynda wrote on Twitter: “We are very grateful to receive a beautiful handwritten letter from @Kensingtonroyal.

“Such a beautiful keepsake for Mila to look back on for many years to come.

“Such a lovely gesture. Thank you, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge.”

A month earlier, Mia had finished two years of treatment and rang the bell at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, to declare she was cancer-free. She was then pictured beaming from ear-to-ear and holding her parents’ hands.

Now the little girl who captured the heart of a princess hopes it won’t be too long before Kate, too, will be ringing her bell.