‘It was a challenging time’: Princess Catherine’s brother reflects on her cancer battle

James Middleton has revealed how his family coped during Princess Catherine’s cancer treatment and admitted it was a “challenging time” for the close-knit Middleton clan.

James 38, who is the Princess of Wales’ younger brother, made the startling admission while speaking to UK paper The Times about the paperback release of his book, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.

He told the newspaper that the Middleton family, including parents, Michael and Carole, and middle sister Pippa learned to “see and process and understand things” differently while supporting his beloved sister through her health journey.

“For her and her family, it was a challenging time, and I know for us and our bigger family, it was a challenging time, but I think it’s about communication and it’s about offering support and help where you can,” he said via The Times.

“Being there for someone is such an important part, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be on your terms, and it shouldn’t be on your terms. It should be on their terms; unconditional: ‘I’m not doing it for something in return. I’m doing it because I love you.’

“And that’s the simplest way of really demonstrating love. You can do it in all these various fancy ways, but actually, you know, it is just generally being there.”

His comments come after the 43 year old Princess overcame her cancer battle and revealed that she is now in remission.

Catherine made the announcement after visiting the Royal Marsden Hospital in central London, where she had undergone months of treatment, marking her first solo public engagement since returning to official duties.

Following her visit, Catherine took to social media to express her gratitude to those who cared for her while sharing that she is now focused on recovery and embracing life in remission.

“I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year,” she said at the time.

“My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything.”

Catherine has continued to impress royal fans as she returns to official duties, including a fun outing with a group of youngsters in England’s great outdoors.

The Princess of Wales, who is co-president of UK Scouts, recently visited England’s stunning Lake District with a young scout group while highlighting the benefits of outdoor activities.

Speaking to chief scout Dwayne Fields, she told him how being in nature was “so… meaningful for me as a place of balance”.

“I find it a very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection I suppose, these environments,” she said.

Princess Catherine has spoken of the “power of nature” in promoting “wellbeing” in previous social media posts when she marked the opening of new gardens at the Natural History Museum in London while undergoing cancer treatment.

-with PA and Reuters.