The moment that showed Prince William and Queen Camilla's growing bond: Royals shared affectionate moment in Westminster Abbey earlier this month in sign of increasing closeness during Kate Middleton and King Charles health battles

The Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla appear to have grown closer in recent weeks as they take on more duties amid the double-hit of their partners' health battles.

The Queen and Prince William were seen sharing a giggle as they led the royals at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey while King Charles continued to recover from cancer.

As far as the public knew, Princess Kate was absent as she was recovering from abdominal surgery she received in January.

But behind the scenes, William was putting on a brave face as his wife battled cancer, along with facing the increasingly outlandish conspiracy theories swirling around the internet as to her whereabouts.

With the King and the Princess out of action, the Queen and the heir have shouldered the added burdens of a trimmed-down royal family. 

The pair have had a strained relationship for many years, but seem to have grown closer and reportedly keep in regular phone contact in recent weeks.

The Queen and Prince William were seen sharing a giggle as they led the royals at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey while King Charles continued to recover

Prince William and Camilla smiled together as the Commonwealth Day service began

King Charles warmly greets Kate during an event at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2021 

The Queen walked side by side with the Prince of Wales in Westminster Abbey this month

Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal watch a dance performance during the annual Commonwealth Day Service

Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales are leading the royals in the absence of their partners

Many noted the warmth between Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales as they walked shoulder to shoulder at the Commonwealth Day service this month.

As Camilla approached, William was seen to say 'hello' to his stepmother before moving forward to kiss her on both cheeks.

They smiled and chatted as they stood side by side ready for the national anthem to be played.

Royal expert Hugo Vickers told MailOnline: 'It falls to Queen Camilla and to some extent Prince William to be the public face of the monarchy. 

'The Queen is doing much the same as the Queen Mother did between 1948 and 1952, when George VI was ill. 

'Prince William has a yet more complicated role as he needs to spend time with Catherine and the children. 

'It is a time for all the "Working Royals” to pull together in unison - that is what they are so good at - being supportive - and I am sure we will see lots of Camilla and William together - as we did in Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Observance.'

Ex-BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond also told OK! magazine that recent events have brought William and Camilla 'much closer' as they are left 'nursing the Crown' while their partners recover.

She added: 'I'm sure they will have been an emotional help to one another as well.'

And said there is now a 'real warmth and affection' between them as they both put on a 'brave face to the world'.

It was reported yesterday that King Charles 'toddled' to his daughter-in-law's bedside in his dressing robe as they both recovered from surgery at the London Clinic.

The King is continuing his battle with cancer as his 'beloved daughter-in-law' the Princess of Wales revealed she is also fighting the disease. Pictured February 4, 2024

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

Both inpatients at the prestigious clinic in Marylebone, north London, the King was seen visiting Kate as they both dealt with their health battles.

At the time, Princess Kate had undergone major abdominal surgery - not thought to be for a malign condition - but post-operative tests found signs of cancer.

The idea of the sprightly King comforting his daughter-in-law - as they both dealt with major health curveballs - will warm the hearts of millions across the nation.

It was also revealed last night how the pair had a lunch together the day before Kate made her announcement to the world.

A source told The Sun it was held at Windsor Castle and had only between the two Royals.

They added: 'They would have had lots to discuss and share because just weeks earlier the King had begun his course of treatment and dealt with announcing his diagnosis.

'The King left his lunch feeling very emotional. They are very close and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter.

'There is no doubt there is a lot they can share and can use each other for support during their own deeply personal cancer battles.'

The illness suffered by their spouses means Prince William and Queen Camilla have forged a closer bond, royal experts have claimed

King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart The London Clinic in central London where he had undergone prostate surgery on January 29, 2024

King Charles, who is also undergoing treatment for cancer, pictured arriving at Clarence House earlier this month

King Charles said he is 'so proud' of the Princess of Wales 'for her courage' in revealing her cancer diagnosis and remains in the 'closest contact' with her.

Sharing Charles' reaction to the shocking news, Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty is ''so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did''.

Following their time in hospital together, HM has ''remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks''.

'Both Their Majesties ''will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time''.'

'Both Their Majesties ''will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time''.'

Kate's cancer announcement marks the latest blow to the royal family over the past year, including the King also being diagnosed with the disease.

The princess was initially admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but cancer was found after a successful operation.

Charles was admitted to hospital just days after Kate, also for a procedure deemed unrelated to cancer.

William and Kate have focused on their children, taking the time to sensitively share the state of the princess's health with Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales. pictured in November 2023

The King and Queen pictured with the Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Loughborough, Warwickshire, in 2020

In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, which is not prostate cancer, that was discovered while the King was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate.

The King has postponed public-facing duties but is said to be continuing to work behind the scenes on his red boxes - his state business and official papers.

Sarah, Duchess of York, became the third royal in quick succession to announce a medical procedure at the beginning of 2024, when she revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

Those familiar with the family said the adversity both of the senior royals were facing had strengthened their bond.

Another insider said: 'There is a very strong relationship between their majesties and the Waleses. They are very close, even more so at the moment.'

A further source added to The Times: 'The King has always had a close, warm and unique relationship with the princess.

'She has a great love and respect for him and his position.

'When they were in hospital together there was a lot of toddling down the corridor to spend time with her. He has been encouraging and supporting her throughout.'

Details of the touching support meeting emerged as it was also suggested the King is hoping to attend the royal family's traditional Easter Sunday service.

It may be his first public appearance after the Princess of Wales revealed she has cancer.

He may attend a smaller version of the annual service at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel alongside the Queen if his health allows.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children will not attend next week's service after Kate, 42, said she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in an emotional video message on Friday.

It is not likely to be a large family gathering or service, according to The Telegraph, as the King has paused public-facing royal duties.

Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where Kate had abdominal surgery.

In an emotional video message, Kate spoke about the 'huge shock' after tests identified cancer following the surgery and the 'incredibly tough couple of months' her family have experienced, with her voice cracking with emotion at times during the footage.

Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate has become close to her father-in-law

Hary and Meghan's short statement read: 'We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace'

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent well-wishes to Kate following the news, it emerged they were not told directly and found out along with the public. Pictured at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in 2019

Charles is said to be 'proud' of his 'beloved' daughter-in-law for her 'courage' in speaking about her treatment and has remained in close contact during the past few weeks.

The form of cancer has not been disclosed but the future Queen began a course of 'preventative chemotherapy' late in February, and is said to have a positive mindset for her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as 'well and getting stronger every day'.

William and Kate have focused on their children, taking the time to sensitively share the state of the princess's health with Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

Despite Camilla and William growing closer in this difficult time, it seems not all of the strained relationships have healed.

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent well-wishes to Kate following the news, it emerged they were not told directly and found out along with the public.

Their short statement read: 'We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.' 

William and Kate have focused on their children, taking the time to sensitively share the state of the princess's health with Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Well-wishers went to Windsor in Berkshire, on Saturday morning, including Linda Boby, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, who said: 'It's such a shock, she's such a young lady and she deserves her privacy.'

Local Clementine Black, 49, a business consultant, said: 'It's unbelievably upsetting that Kate has to come out and say this because of online speculation to be honest.'

Political leaders of all sides have expressed sympathy and support for Kate and criticised what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described as the 'intense scrutiny' she has faced from social media and sections of the media around the world.

Lord David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: 'My thoughts go out to The Princess of Wales, The Prince of Wales and their three young children at this time.

'The strength of the princess - speaking so frankly, with all the pressures of publicity and bringing up a young family - is remarkable and is rightly admired around the world.'

On Friday evening, hashtags including 'WeLoveYouCatherine' and 'GetWellSoonCatherine' were trending on X.

It is understood the video message, recorded on Wednesday in Windsor, was released on the day William and Kate's three children began their Easter school holidays, to take advantage of the break to shield them from coverage of their mother's health.

The announcement may end weeks of intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about the whereabouts and health of the future Queen.