King Charles and Princess Kate share a deeply personal battle with cancer. And now, a newly discovered historical link shows that their families were united in that fight long before they were born.
According to research uncovered by Australian historian Michael Reed and reported by The telegraphThe ancestors of the monarch and Princess of Wales worked together almost a century ago to advance cancer research. In 1925, King Charles’ great-uncle, the 6th Earl of Harewood, and Princess Kate’s great-great-grandfather, Sir Charles Lupton, helped establish the Yorkshire Council of the British Empire Cancer Campaign.
The discovery comes as both royals have faced cancer treatments in recent years. Kate is now in remission after chemotherapy, while the King is expected to reduce his treatment in the new year.
Reed discovered that Viscount Henry Lascelles was the first president of the council, and Sir Charles Lupton acted as vice-president. Princess Mary, great-aunt of King Charles, subsequently took over as president until her death in 1965. Her work is being commemorated with a centenary booklet titled “a century of saving lives”, along with a commemorative ball at Castle Howard.
“I felt it was very moving that although the Princess and King Charles’s ancestors were aristocratic men, they decided to get their hands dirty by doing a really tough campaign for a disease that, in 1925, stumped most of the leading scientists,” Reed said.
He added: “I believe this new knowledge that both families have a historically strong connection to cancer research will increase the determination of both the King and Princess to continue fighting the disease.”
Earlier this month, the King echoed that commitment in a Stand Up to Cancer message, saying, “I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” while urging the public to prioritize early detection.
