Kate’s cancer diagnosis was the reason Prince William skipped godfather King Constantine of Greece’s memorial service
A reeling Prince William skipped a February memorial service for his late godfather because of his wife Kate Middleton’s stunning cancer diagnosis, The Post has confirmed.
Royal insiders said the Prince of Wales opted not to attend the church service for the late King Constantine of Greece after learning of his wife’s then-undisclosed medical crisis.
Buckingham Palace had initially attributed his surprising absence to a “personal matter” — an explanation that only fueled spiraling speculation and rumors around the besieged royals.
Observers at the time that William’s no-show at St. George’s Chapel at his Windsor estate was indicative of a serious internal matter.
His father, Prince Charles, was unable to attend the event due to a prior engagement in Cyprus, thus magnifying William’s absence.
“Constantine was his godfather and very close to all the royals, particularly King Charles, and he would have wanted William there as he didn’t attend,” Royal biographer Phil Dampier told the Daily Mail at the time.
William was scheduled to give a reading at the ceremony, and Dampier noted that the royal “lives only a stone’s throw away, so it’s very concerning.”
Responding to intensifying press queries at the time, palace spokespersons would only say that Middleton was “doing well.”
With William absent, other members of the royal family gathered to commemorate the life of the Greek monarch, including Queen Camilla, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
The latest on Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis:
- Live updates: Kate Middleton announces she has cancer
- Prince William has been a ‘great source’ of support to Kate Middleton amid cancer battle, princess says
- How Kate Middleton told George, Charlotte, and Louis about her cancer diagnosis
- Kate Middleton diagnosed with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy in heartbreaking health update
Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis: Everything we know so far
- Kate Middleton revealed she’s been diagnosed with cancer in a bombshell announcement in March
- The royal is undergoing chemotherapy, and will not return to official palace duties until she is cleared by her doctor.
- Middleton had waited to reveal the news of her cancer until her children were off from school for Easter break.
- The announcement came after weeks of speculation and baseless conspiracy theories surrounding the royal.
- The princess had also been facing controversy regarding a scandal involving “digitally altered” photos of her family.
- Middleton recently underwent abdominal surgery.
Middleton, 42, received her diagnosis after undergoing “major abdominal surgery” in January at the London Clinic.
Middleton revealed on Friday announcement that she had been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” a gaunt Kate said in a heartbreaking videotaped statement.
The Princess of Wales said the revelation shocked came as a shock — and that her spouse has been a source of strength throughout.
“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too,” she said while sharing her diagnosis in a video on Friday.