A royal expert has opened up on the Princess of Wales’ cancer battle and recent absence from Royal Ascot, later disclosing that her family was about to welcome a new addition
Matthew Davies and Matt Davies
12:05 ET, 24 Jun 2025
A royal expert said there’s a new addition on the way for the Waleses(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to welcome a new addition to their family, a royal expert has claimed. Rebecca English, the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor, commented on the Princess of Wales‘ unexpected absence from Royal Ascot last week.
She pointed out that only last year, Kate was undergoing chemotherapy treatment following the discovery of cancer, after undergoing major abdominal surgery in January.
Kate announced in January this year that she was in remission, opening up on social media about her “relief” and how she was “focused on recovery,” but said she was looking forward to a “fulfilling year.”
Meanwhile, Rebecca highlighted the impact of the Princess’s illness on her and William’s three children. However, in a more positive turn of events, it appears that the Wales family is expecting a new addition.
The Kensington Royal account shared a photo of the Prince with Orla and her adorable new puppies(Image: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales)
Rebecca wrote in the Mail: “We should not forget, of course, that Catherine’s young brood – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, ten; and seven-year-old Prince Louis – have also endured a tough time.”
“As parents, there is always only so much we can keep from our children, particularly when it comes to physical illness. It’s one of the reasons, I am told, that she and Prince William have decided to breed from their adored spaniel, Orla.
“Not only has it been something fun for the children to look forward to, but I am told they are planning to keep one of the pups.”
Over the past weekend, Prince William rang in his 43rd birthday, and to celebrate, the official Kensington Royal account posted an endearing snapshot of the Prince with Orla and her litter of cute pups.
Orla, a black cocker spaniel gifted to the Wales family by Kate’s brother, James Middleton, recently became a mother to four puppies. The heartwarming birthday post was captioned: “Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!”
Rebecca reminded people of the impact of the Princess’s illness on her and William’s three children(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
In April, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a photo of Orla for National Pet Day. In the snap, Orla was visibly wet, with the message accompanying the picture reading: “Celebrating the animals who bring so much joy, companionship and love to our lives this #NationalPetDay.”
Orla also featured in a charming photograph with Princess Charlotte as she celebrated her seventh birthday. The image captured a tender moment with Charlotte embracing the family pet during a bank holiday weekend in Norfolk.
The late Queen Elizabeth II, William’s grandmother, was famously fond of animals, especially her iconic corgis and horses. In a tribute to her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, London saw a parade of over 100 corgis.
During her record-breaking seven-decade reign, the late Queen owned dozens of corgis, with Princess Diana reportedly joking that she walked with a “moving carpet” of them.