The silent hero of Kate Middleton’s courageous battle with cancer

Kate Middleton announced she had cancer in March 2024 and battled the disease for most of the year. While the Princess of Wales enjoyed the support of her close family and goodwill from around the world, there was a silent hero in her journey who is said to have helped her through some of her most difficult times.

Kate Middleton was able to count on the support of this silent hero during her health battle

Kate Middleton’s brother James Middleton has shared a story with Hello! magazine about the silent hero he says helped his sister through her cancer treatment. James is the younger brother of the Princess of Wales.

Kate’s younger brother has made no secret of his mental health struggles, crediting his dog, Ella, with helping him through a dark time in his life.

Over the past decade, James has given Kate two dogs: Lupo and Orla. James believes Orla helped her sister when she needed support the most.

He told Hello! that he believes the Cocker Spaniel is supporting Kate through her battle with cancer. James said: “I know how much dogs have helped me take my mind off things, so I’m sure Orla is doing her job for them by supporting her family.”

He added: “That’s the experience I’ve had through my ordeal. I think it’s something her (Catherine’s) family and our family do as well.”

Orla appears in the Princess of Wales’ video message confirming she has completed chemotherapy. At the beginning of the video, the cocker spaniel runs alongside the royal couple and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

How many dogs did Kate Middleton and Prince William have?

Kate Middleton and Prince William have had two dogs since their wedding in 2011. James Middleton raised them both.

James had a litter of puppies in 2011. Lupo was from that litter and was given to Kate by her brother in 2012 when Prince William, then an RAF search and rescue pilot, was deployed to the Falklands.

In November 2020, Kate and William announced Lupo’s death. He was nine years old.

The couple shared a post on social media to announce the sad news. “It is with great sadness that this past weekend our beloved dog, Lupo, passed away. He was the heart of our family for the past nine years and will be greatly missed. – W&C.”

Kate’s brother James Middleton also paid tribute to the couple in an Instagram post. He wrote: “For those who have never had a dog, it can be difficult to understand the loss. However, those who have loved a dog know the truth: a dog is not just a pet; they are a family member, a best friend, a loyal companion, a teacher and a therapist.”

So Kate has benefited from the support a dog can provide during the difficult times of her healing journey. Now that she has completed her cancer treatment, when will she return to work full time?

Kate Middleton has finished chemotherapy. What’s next for the Princess of Wales?

On September 9, 2024, Kate Middleton announced that she had completed chemotherapy. The Princess of Wales revealed that she had an undisclosed type of cancer in March 2024. Her announcement came six weeks after Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles also had the disease.

While the palace has not said when Kate Middleton will return as a working royal, she has reportedly been working behind the scenes on projects she has long been linked to. The royal family has not revealed those details.

Kate made two public appearances in 2024, the first at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in mid-June. The second at Wimbledon on July 14.

As the festive season approaches, royal watchers are wondering whether the princess will lead her annual Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey. They are also eagerly awaiting her joining the royals for their annual Christmas Day walk from the church.