Kate Middleton delighted the nation last week when she announced that she’s completed chemotherapy and is now ‘focusing on staying cancer-free’.
In a poignant video, the Princess of Wales – who was joined by husband Prince William and their three children during a family holiday in Norfolk – expressed her relief at finishing her treatment and revealed she was looking forward to heading back to work.
But while she’s been showered with praise and well-wishes, her estranged sister-in-law has been left with ‘complicated feelings’. Sources have revealed that despite being pleased about Kate’s health update, Meghan can’t help but feel upset over the position she and Prince Harry are in.
Kate Middleton has finished her chemotherapy ©Imago
‘Meghan is incredibly relieved that Kate’s healthy again, but when it comes to the video announcement, her feelings are pretty complicated,’ an insider tells Closer. ‘There’s still an element of guilt that she and Harry are grappling with. They both have regrets over going so public with their complaints about the family and Kate in particular.
‘When they spoke out, Meghan felt they had no other choice, but now that time has passed and those heightened feelings have cooled off, she realises things could have been handled more discreetly. It’s not something she likes to dwell on, but of course watching Kate’s video brought it all to the surface and it really broke her. It’s undoubtedly agonising for both her and Harry.’
Kate, 42, announced to the world in March that, following abdominal surgery in January, further tests found that cancer had been present and that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. In her update last week, she told how the last nine months have been ‘incredibly tough’ for them as a family.
It’s been a tough year for Kate and her family ©Imago
Opening up about navigating ‘the stormy waters’ with William, 42, and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, Kate said, ‘The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has, above all, reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.’
She added that her ‘path to healing and full recovery is long’ before thanking everyone for their support. She concluded, ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright.’
And according to our source, seeing how well the video has been received has only reinforced Meghan’s belief that there’s a ‘double standard’ when it comes to her and Kate.
There has been a double standard when it comes to the media’s coverage of Meghan and Kate ©Imago
‘When you compare the way Kate’s treated by the press and the public to the way Meghan’s treated, it’s impossible to deny there’s a huge disparity,’ our insider says.
‘People might argue that Kate has put in her time and earned the respect of the British people but, for Meghan, it really feels like she simply can’t win, no matter how hard she tries. When she sees the way Kate is adored, whereas anything she does is mostly torn down, it does leave her feeling pretty low.’
Earlier this year, Meghan, 43, faced a backlash after sharing a teaser video for the launch of her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which showed her cooking, arranging flowers and walking through her and Harry’s Montecito mansion in a ballgown. But fans were left unimpressed, with many slamming her for being ‘out of touch’ and ‘cashing in’ on the royal brand.
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Our source adds that Meghan ‘envies’ how easy it seems to be for Kate to connect with the public.
‘Any time Meghan tries to open up and share her truth, the way Kate did in her video, she seems to get slammed for it. Seeing the way Kate’s video has been received by the public and the press has highlighted how differently they are viewed and there’s no getting around the fact that Meghan has been put in one category and Kate in another. It feels very unfair and like there’s simply no way out,’ the source continues.
‘The video has left her feeling like she’s backed into a corner where there’s no way she can have that rapport with the public that Kate does. She’s genuinely happy that Kate is better, of course, but she’s feeling pretty hopeless about the future and this episode has triggered a lot of painful memories.’
