Queen Camilla’s playful response to Kate Middleton’s video update on her battle with cancer was meant to be light-hearted but may have ventured into a more sensitive area, a recent book suggests.

Royal expert Robert Jobson has authored a compelling new book, The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival, which was previewed exclusively by the Daily Mail.

In the third segment of the Daily Mail’s series, Jobson delved into the impact of last year’s simultaneous cancer diagnoses of King Charles and the Princess of Wales, highlighting how it struck a deep chord within the Royal Family.

“The simultaneous affliction of two prominent royals felt like a cruel twist of fate, profoundly affecting Prince William,” the excerpt noted.

Jobson also detailed the transformations in King Charles, who now incorporates “regular afternoon naps” into his routine, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, who have turned towards faith more deeply since the diagnoses.

Through this challenging period, Camilla, now 79, has been a rock for the family, increasing her royal duties to offer her support, according to Jobson’s account.

‘Moreover, her warm and humorous approach to life has undoubtedly been a boon for the ailing King,’ Mr Jobson wrote. ‘Occasionally, however, her sense of humour strays into slightly questionable territory.’ 

Quoting a senior household source, he added that the Queen compared Kate’s stylised video about completing cancer treatment to a ‘shampoo commercial’ during a light-hearted moment ‘with friends’. 

In September 2024, the Wales family released a heartwarming update on how they were coping following Kate’s diagnosis in a polished three-minute video directed by Will Carr. It was hailed by media image guru Mark Borowski as a ‘groundbreaking moment’

In his new book, The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival, exclusively shared with The Daily Mail, Robert Jobson revealed how Queen Camilla made a lighthearted joke with friends that the video was ‘like a shampoo commercial’ 

She was, Mr Jobson seemingly clarified, referring playfully only to the slick production value and had felt ‘of course, deeply relieved at Catherine’s recovery’. 

Following weeks of speculation about her absence from public life, Kate, 43,  announced she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer on March 22, 2024. 

In a deeply personal video message filmed at Windsor Castle, the Princess described the diagnosis as a ‘huge shock’ and explained how she was in the ‘early stages’ of preventative chemotherapy treatment. 

Nearly six months later, the Waleses shared an update about Kate’s cancer journey in a three-minute video that was filmed in Norfolk and directed by Will Warr.

Revealing that her chemotherapy treatment had come to an end, the moving clip offered an intimate glimpse into the family’s life, as it featured both Kate and Prince William as well as their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. 

In contrast to the Princess of Wales, King Charles has been rather reserved in sharing any details about his cancer battle since Buckingham Palace announced his diagnosis in February 2024.

However, Mr Jobson has offered new insight into his cancer journey, including how he was in ‘mounting levels of pain’ in the months before he was diagnosed. 

He was given morphine, fitted with a catheter, and admitted to Aberdeen Hospital. 

In Mr Jobson’s new book, new details about Charles’ cancer battle are revealed – with the Royal expert outlining how the King had been in ‘mounting levels of pain’ in the months prior to his diagnosis and has since started having his lunch again, typically a spinach soup

In the months that followed Kate’s initial diagnosis, both the Prince and Princess were said to have become ‘more religious’ as they sought to come to terms with the reality of the disease, Mr Jobson revealed. William ‘now attends church more frequently’, the royal author wrote

 Explaining how King Charles has changed since the diagnosis, Mr Jobson noted he has started eating lunch again – after skipping the meal for much of his life – and typically enjoys a bowl of spinach soup 

Meanwhile, in the months that followed Kate’s initial diagnosis, both the Prince and Princess were said to have become ‘more religious’ as they sought to come to terms with their new reality. 

‘William now attends church more frequently than in the past, though as privately as possible,’ Mr Jobson wrote. 

As King Charles continues to navigate his own personal battle with the disease, the Monarch has acted as a pillar of support for the Princess. 

Indicative of such support, shortly after her video announcement, Buckingham Palace shared how His Majesty was ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’.

The clip has since been hailed by media image guru Mark Borowski as a ‘groundbreaking moment’, representing a ‘tectonic shift in how the Royal Family controls its image’.  

Indeed, according to Mr Borowski, the deliberate decision by the Prince and Princess of Wales to share Kate’s emotional journey with a ‘polished film’ was made in order to ensure she could ‘maintain dignity and control while still appearing relatable’. 

He added: ‘In many ways, this sets a new precedent for how the royal household, a closed-off institution, has used media to shape its story without seeming exploitative. It’s groundbreaking because it’s a case study of showing vulnerability while staying in command.’

Following his diagnosis, the King was said to have been urged by his son William to ‘slow down and listen to his medical team’, with the Monarch now taking ‘regular afternoon naps’, Mr Jobson revealed

 It comes as Kate has began to undertake a ‘measured’ return to ‘normal’ following her cancer battle, with the Princess carefully navigating her return to the spotlight by undertaking a handful of appearances. Pictured: Kate at the Christmas Day Service at Sandringham in 2024

 Meanwhile, Camilla was said to have been ‘proud’ to take on more Royal duties in Kate’s absence, with the Queen, 78, reportedly described by aides as ‘resilient’ and more than happy to plug gaps in the diary.

It comes as Kate continues her ‘measured’ return to public life with a series of appearances since September 2024 – including her annual Christmas carol service, the Festival of Remembrance, and a sombre visit to Southport last October. 

Her next engagement has been confirmed as a solo visit to National Memorial Arboretum to mark Armistice Day next week. 

Since completing her treatment, Kate has also kept her promise of ‘standing shoulder-to-shoulder’ with other cancer patients. 

Addressing them, she said: ‘You are not alone.’ 

Not long after the video’s release, the royal kept her promise and hosted inspirational young photographer – who tragically died less than a year after being diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour – during a private meeting at Windsor Castle on October 2. 

The poignant photo of Kate warmly embracing Liz appeared to say ‘I am with you.’ 

In January this year, she visited the Royal Marsden hospital, where Kate completed her own cancer treatment, as she met with patients to show her support and thanked staff for their ‘exceptional care, support, and compassion’.

Hugging one well-wisher, who was being treated for the disease, the Princess offered encouragement and kindness, saying: ‘Are you OK?

‘There is light at the end of that tunnel,’ she reiterated. ‘You are in the best of hands.’