Kate Middleton and King Charles III found strength in one another as they navigated their respective cancer journeys.
Royal photographer Chris Jackson recently spoke with Page Six while promoting his book, “Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era,” about how the reigning monarch and his daughter-in-law bonded after being simultaneously diagnosed with cancer.
“I think you can’t avoid what’s happened with the cancer, with the King and Catherine,” Jackson said. “I talk a lot about the adversity that the royal family faced over the last few years, and you really couldn’t have made it up, [them] basically having cancer at the same time.”
King Charles III and Kate Middleton (seen here in 2021) leaned on each other during their cancer battles. Getty Images
Royal photographer Chris Jackson spoke with Page Six about Charles and the Princess of Wales. Chris Jackson
The Getty Images lensman was able to witness how both Charles and the Princess of Wales have been able to return to their royal duties stronger than ever.
“To see the bounce back has been amazing,” Jackson said. “And that has generated a huge amount of goodwill and positivity.”
Jackson added that Charles has returned to his royal engagements with an “incredible energy.”
“You know, I might do one engagement with him in a day and then he’ll be off to an investiture and then a dinner,” Jackson said. “I honestly don’t know how he does it, because, you know, it does take a lot of stamina.”
Charles’ commitment to his country is also what keeps him going, Jackson said.
The Getty Images propromoted his new book, “Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era.” Modern Majesty / Chris Jackson
“I think you can’t avoid what’s happened with the cancer, with the King and Catherine (seen here in June 2024),” Jackson said. Getty Images
“He’s sort of bounced back from the cancer,” Jackson said, describing him as operating in “top gear.”
Jackson noted that for Middleton, her family is “hugely important.”
“I actually visited the Royal Marsden Hospital with her, and that was poignant, to go back to the place where she had her treatment,” Jackson recalled of the April 2024 visit.
Jackson called Middleton’s visit with cancer patients “incredibly emotional.”
“It’s probably one of the most powerful royal visits I’ve done in recent years because of the symbolism of what happened to her and her comeback,” Jackson said. “And obviously she’s back to full speed with royal engagements.”
Charles, 77, revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, while Middleton, 44, revealed that she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer a month later.
Jackson said that Charles (seen here in a photo he took of him and Queen Camilla in April 2025) was able to “bounce back from the cancer.” Getty Images for Buckingham Palace
He also recalled Middleton (seen here with Prince William in April 2016) going back to the hospital where she received treatment. Getty Images
In September 2024, Middleton completed her treatment, and four months later, the princess confirmed she was in remission
Charles, for his part, shared in December 2025 that he had “responded exceptionally well to treatment” — though he was not in remission. He resumed in-person duties two months later.
Jackson also opened up about how Middleton and Prince William’s three kids are dealing with royal life, as well as what it was like to work with former royals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.