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0 The Princess of Wales proved that she is as ‘excellent a communicator’ as the late Queen was – in a poignant video message revealing her cancer diagnosis – a royal expert has said.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Richard Fitzwilliam said that while Elizabeth II ‘grew up in a different era and likely wouldn’t have given a broadcast’, there are nods to the late monarch’s personable language and particularly her stirring Coronavirus speech, which was watched by more than 23 million people.
He explained that Kate Middleton, 42, emulated her grandmother-in-law by using relatable references and making a message in which she was ‘talking to millions’ feel deeply personal and from the heart.
The Princess in particular channelled Elizabeth – who was known as ‘one-take Windsor’ for her prowess with recorded messages – when she spoke about her experiences as a parent.
Richard says he was reminded of two of the late Queen’s speeches in particular – her poignant tribute to Princess Diana as well as her message during the Covid pandemic, where she promised that ‘we will meet again’.
The Princess of Wales proved that she is as ‘excellent a communicator’ as the late Queen was – in a poignant video message revealing her cancer diagnosis – a royal expert has said
Recalling Elizabeth’s televised address on September 5, 1997 – after Prince William and Prince Harry’s mother passed – he recounted how she referred to herself as ‘your Queen and as a grandmother’, which left audiences emotionally charged.
‘We have all been trying in our different ways to cope,’ she added.
‘It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger – and concern for those who remain.’
‘That did resonate – the way she handled that,’ Richard explained.
In her video, Kate also spoke from the point of view of a mother who along with her husband has ‘taken time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that she is going to be ok’.
‘As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits,’ she continued.
‘Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.’
Richard also made comparisons to Queen Elizabeth’s ‘inspirational’ and ‘galvanising’ coronavirus TV address to the nation in April 2020.
He explained that Kate Middleton , 42, (right) emulated her grandmother-in-law (left in 2020) by using relatable references and making a message in which she was ‘talking to millions’ feel deeply personal and from the heart
Richard says he was reminded of two of the late Queen’s speeches in particular – her poignant tribute to Princess Diana (pictured) as well as her message during the Covid pandemic, where she promised that ‘we will meet again’
Her Majesty’s highly personal speech evoked Britain’s stoicism during the Second World War with viewers admitting they had a lump in their throat and tears in their eyes as she echoed Dame Vera Lynn’s words: ‘We will meet again’.
It was revealed that 23million-plus in the UK – three out of four people watching TV that night – tuned in on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 at 8pm, putting it just outside the top 10 most watched broadcasts of all time in Britain at the time.
It was still around five million viewers short of Boris Johnson’s lockdown announcement on March 24, which was watched by 27.1million people.
Royal commentators said her ‘deeply moving’ words will have inspired confidence and boosted morale in an intervention being hailed as the ‘finest moment’ in her reign.
Dickie Arbiter, who was the Queen’s press secretary from 1988 until 2000, told MailOnline at the time: ‘The Queen’s words will have galvanised and moved millions of people watching at home.
‘This was a deeply personal speech – this was her message, in her own words. She was speaking to the nation as the head of state but also as a mother, whose eldest son Charles has been fighting off the virus, and as a wife who is self-isolating with her husband Prince Philip.
In her video, Kate also spoke from the point of view of a mother who along with her husband has ‘taken time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that she is going to be ok’. The young family pictured in 2022
Richard said the late monarch would also not have been as personally subject to ‘ghastly’ rumours and conspiracy theories. Kate and the late Queen pictured in 2012
‘They are both well into their nineties and in the most vulnerable age group. Her speech was powerful because we are all going through the same thing’.
Richard explained that in a similarly poignant thread – albeit discussing entirely different topics – both Kate and Elizabeth captured very universal feelings.
Speaking about the Princess of Wales’s video, he continued: ‘It was deeply moving, she was talking to millions who had an idea of her experience, inviting others to go on this journey with her.’
The expert also pointed out that a key difference is that Kate was ‘addressing something the Queen never had to deal with.’
‘It is the age of social media,’ he continued. ‘But the queen would have been senior enough not to have to engage with it.’
Richard said the late monarch would also not have been as personally subject to ‘ghastly’ rumours and conspiracy theories.
What’s more, he stressed that Kate’s broadcast is a ‘unique’ one especially when looking at the laid back approachable setting – while the Queen tended to favour regal backgrounds.
What’s more, he stressed that Kate’s broadcast is a ‘unique’ one especially when looking at the laid back approachable setting – while the Queen tended to favour regal backgrounds. Both pictured in 2012
‘You could say there is a reference there in the way they communicated,’ the royal expert said. ‘But they are entirely unique situations of course.’
In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine revealed the news had come as a ‘huge shock’ and that she and William ‘have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’.
It came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home, and she said her husband had been ‘a great source of comfort and reassurance’ during her cancer fight.
Catherine’s cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.
Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.
The King – who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself – and the Queen were both been informed of the news. In a statement tonight His Majesty said he is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’ and remains in the ‘closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law’.
The King and Queen said they ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’.
