Kate Middleton met privately with King Charles on day before announcing cancer diagnosis

Kate Middleton reportedly had a private lunch with King Charles III the day before she made the announcement regarding her cancer diagnosis on Friday.

A British royal insider told People that Middleton, 42, and the British monarch, 75, share “a common health experience.”

According to author Sally Bedell Smith, Charles “has always had a very good bond with her.”

“She’s interested in artistic things and she appreciates art and culture so has an affinity with the King over that,” Smith, 75, told the outlet.

“Obviously they have this in common and can only bring them closer,” she continued. “It is a source of reassurance and consolation for both of them.”

Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer last month after undergoing an examination of an enlarged prostate, is reportedly “progressing well” with his ongoing treatment.

A source close to the king told people that Charles is currently planning a list of summer engagements without “committing to anything” and anything he does will be “subject to doctors’ advice at the time.”

On Friday evening, the Princess of Wales announced that she had been diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer shortly after undergoing planned abdominal surgery at the start of the year.

The princess — who had remained largely out of the public eye despite several sinister conspiracy theories — made the announcement after being spotted with Prince William, 41, during a recent stroll at Windsor Farm Shop.

A close friend of the princess told The Times of London that the video “allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly, have always been with her and her family and who don’t buy into the noise and gossip” adding “it was all her, she wrote every word of it, it came together very quickly.”

The same friend also revealed that during the time that they overlapped at The London Clinic, a robe-clad Charles could be spotted “toddling” down the hallway to visit his daughter-in-law.

“There is a very strong relationship between their majesties and the Waleses. They are very close, even more so at the moment,” the source told the outlet.

A spokesperson at Buckingham Palace claimed that the monarch “has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks” since then.

“The King has always had a close, warm and unique relationship with the princess,” a source close to Charles expounded.”She has a great love and respect for him and his position. When they were in hospital together there was a lot of toddling down the corridor to spend time with her. He has been encouraging and supporting her throughout.”

Charles and Queen Consort Camilla said they “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time,” according to Buckingham Palace.

The warm and loving affection between the two is a stark contrast to that of Middleton’s family and Prince Harry‘s who reportedly had no prior knowledge of the diagnosis until it was announced to the public.

“It is understood that Kate’s cancer diagnosis was not shared in advance with Harry and Meghan [Markle],” The Times UK reported Saturday. “Several sources confirm that there were no such conversations and it is thought Harry found out about Kate’s diagnosis from television, at the same time as the public.”

Shortly after the announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex managed to cobble a statement together.

“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, said.