King Charles and Princess Kate share a deeply personal battle with cancer. And now, a newly discovered historical connection shows that their families were united in this fight long before they were born.
According to research discovered 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’s great-uncle, the sixth Earl of Harewood, and Princess Kate’s great-great-uncle, Sir Charles Lupton, helped establish the Yorkshire Council of the British Empire Cancer Campaign.
The discovery comes as both members of the royal family have undergone cancer treatment in recent years. Kate is now in remission after chemotherapy, while the king is expected to reduce her treatment in the new year.
Reed discovered that Viscount Henry Lascelles was the first president of the council, with Sir Charles Lupton serving as vice-president. Princess Mary, great-aunt of King Charles, then took on the role of president until her death in 1965. Their work is marked by a centenary booklet entitled ‘A Century of Saving Lives’, alongside a commemorative ball at Castle Howard.
“I found it very poignant that, although the ancestors of the Princess and King Charles were both aristocratic men, they chose to get their hands dirty by waging a very tough campaign for a disease that, in 1925, perplexed most leading scientists,” Reed said.
He added: “I believe this new knowledge of both their families having a historically strong connection to cancer research will strengthen the King and Princess’ resolve to continue to fight 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.
