How Princess Kate’s emotional video message revealing her cancer ‘was inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s greatest speech’

THE Princess of Wales’ video message revealing her cancer diagnosis was inspired by the late Queen’s stirring Covid speech, say royal experts.

Kate’s statement features clear nods to Elizabeth II’s “We will meet again” TV address in lockdown.

Reuters

The Princess of Wales’ video message revealing her cancer diagnosis was inspired by the late Queen’s stirring Covid speech[/caption]

After analysing both speeches, commentators believe Kate, 42, may have been influenced by her grandmother-in-law.

Ingrid Seward, author of 2015 Elizabeth II biography The Queen’s Speech, said: “Over many years of public speaking, our late Queen learnt what was expected of her was not a performance but a welcome.

“She perfected an unpretentious warmth she knew was essential to get her message across.

“It was the simple missives, not the great works of literature or the Bible that we remember from her speeches.

“The most iconic was during the lock-down of April 2020, just before her 94th birthday.

The Queen ended with the encouraging words “We will meet again”.

“Almost four years later, Kate was making her own speech in a similar tone.

“The Queen spoke of the ‘increasingly challenging time’, Kate of the ‘incredibly tough couple of months’.

“Kate spoke of everyone ‘facing this disease’, the Queen of ‘together we are tackling this disease’.

“The words were similar but the striking thing was they both came from the heart, spoken in an honest, direct tone.

“The directness and intimacy of the two women, speaking straight into the camera, made an enormous impact.

“The Queen spoke to her subjects, Kate to others suffering from cancer. Both said not to lose hope.”

Ingrid added: “The Queen spoke of better days to come and Kate reassured us she was going to be OK.

“From different generations and backgrounds, both had the ability to encourage people that they could overcome their difficulties.

“Kate spoke of how her work had given her deep joy and she looked forward to being back.

“She ‘had been helped by the love, support and kindness shown by so many’.

“The Queen said, ‘Better days will return, we will be with our friends again.’

“Both women give enormous hope.

“The Queen to everyone in the country and Commonwealth suffering from disruption, possible financial difficulties and enormous change during the global lockdown.

“The Princess of Wales to the many all over the world suffering from cancer, who have lost someone to cancer or might simply be afraid. ‘Do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone’, Kate said.

“The Queen said, ‘I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it’.

“The wording might not have been the same but their messages were. ‘Be brave, don’t give up hope, it’s tough but it will be all right. We will succeed and that success will belong to every one of us.’

Confidence and morale

“There is no doubt Kate was inspired by her late grandmother-in-law.

“Neither woman enjoys public speaking or enjoys talking directly to the camera.

“The Queen learnt at a young age and gave her first speech in her early twenties, as Princess Elizabeth.

“Kate was a little older and a little wiser, but it was hard.

“She was determined.

“Kate is delighted with the response to her address, as the Queen was to hers when at age 94 she sat in front of the cameras in Windsor Castle and said, ‘Better days will return’. They always do.”

Another royal commentator, Phil Dampier, author of 2007 book What’s In The Queen’s Handbag, feels Kate channelled the late Queen when she reassured her children, and through them the nation, she will be OK.

He believes that in the late Queen’s speech, words and phrases like “together”, “we will succeed”, and “better days will return”, inspired confidence and raised morale.

Kate, although discussing a different topic, captured the same universal feelings, by saying “you are not alone” and “for everyone”.

Phil said: “Kate wrote every word of her speech herself and has learnt at the feet of the late Queen. She had uncanny ability to say more with less, believing brief statements were remembered — for one or two lines.

“Even at state banquets and formal occasions she had a golden rule that speeches were never more than 12 minutes long.

Kate spoke from the heart and got it just right the first time

Royal commentator, Phil Dampier

“In her ‘We’ll meet again’ address she thanked NHS workers, while Kate praised her own medical team. While the Queen told us all would be well for the country, Kate informed us she had reassured her children, and through them us, that she would be OK too. It was a message of hope and optimism, as was the Queen’s.”

Phil added: “The Queen refers to the power of prayer and meditation, and Kate says she will focus on the things that help her heal — in her mind, body and spirit. This broadens out the message so that it is not only just about cancer but life in general, and the Queen always took a holistic approach to health and happiness.

“Kate says she is thinking of others who have cancer, and the Queen’s message emphasised how people had been supporting each other through Covid to emerge on the other side stronger and more united. The speeches are similar in length and tone, the right mixture of concern and realism with hope.”

The late Queen’s speech, evoking Britain’s stoicism during World War Two by echoing Forces’ sweetheart singer Vera Lynn, was viewed by 23million in the UK.

It has been hailed as one of the finest moments of her reign.

Phil said: “Queen Elizabeth was so good at delivering her Christmas speeches and others that she became known as One Take Windsor — who never needed a second go.

“You got the impression Kate, sitting on a simple garden bench with spring daffodils in the background, also spoke from the heart and got it just right the first time.”

Lorna Roach

Ingrid Seward, author of 2015 Elizabeth II biography The Queen’s Speech, said: ‘Over many years of public speaking, our late Queen learnt what was expected of her was not a performance but a welcome’[/caption]