A dramatic announcement, canceled engagements, and a rush to the queen — but why did the
Duchess stay behind?
Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth II have always been in-law goals.
When the pair attended events together, they often huddled close and shared a laugh.
However, sometimes even royal family members have to make some sacrifices due to unforeseen
circumstances.
On September 8, Buckingham Palace issued a statement that indicated that the queen's
health may not be at its optimum.
It read,
"Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen's doctors are concerned for Her
Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.
The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."
Of course, Balmoral Castle is the queen's Scottish abode.
The news took the United Kingdom by surprise, with newly instated British Prime Minister
Liz Truss taking to Twitter to voice her concern.
She tweeted,
"The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.
My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her
Majesty The Queen and her family at this time."
The monarch was supposed to meet with her Privy Council on September 8 but had to postpone
the virtual meeting.
Queen Elizabeth would have presided over a meeting where Truss would have been sworn
in as First Lord of the Treasury, and the new Cabinet ministers would have also taken
an oath.
Instead, the engagement was postponed as royal family members rushed to the queen's side
— but not Kate.
According to CNN, Kensington Palace addressed Kate's absence and why she was not en route
to Balmoral.
The outlet reported that the Duchess of Cambridge was still in Windsor with her children, Prince
George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
September 8 marks their first full day back at school, and she chose to be there for them.
E! News reported that William, then-Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
have traveled to be with the queen.
Even Prince Harry has left Germany to join his grandmother in Balmoral, although Meghan
Markle has opted to stay behind.
Journalist Omid Scobie noted that Princess Anne was already at Balmoral Castle.
She was soon be joined by Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.
William and Kate's children are experiencing huge changes after moving to Windsor and Adelaide
Cottage, as well as entering a brand new school.
Any mother would want to be there for their children after so many adjustments, but Kate
also needed to be present to give the news about their great-grandmother in person.
"Buckingham palace has announced the death of her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II."
Queen Elizabeth was close to the Cambridge children.
In fact, Express reported that George at one point called Elizabeth "Gan-gan," and that
the monarch was involved in their upbringing.
Prince William and Kate had just moved to be closer to the monarch and also to give
the Cambridge children a more "normal" childhood outside of Kensington Palace's fishbowl, according
to Reuters.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl told OK!,
"Neither William or Kate have ever been London people and have never enjoyed the chaos of
the city.
Whilst their home at Kensington Palace is highly secure, they have often felt overlooked
and that they lacked privacy."
And now, after the death of his great-grandmother, Prince George's life will never be the same.
On such a tragic day, the 9-year-old future king needed to be around a parent, which is
why it made sense for Kate Middleton to stay back with her kids.
Now, George is third in line for the British throne.
His grandfather is King Charles III, and his mom and dad are now the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge AND Cornwall!
That's a lot of changes for a little boy who has already had his world turned upside down
with a move and a new school.