Given Harry and Meghan’s incredibly fractured relationship with the royal family, there was a strategy in place when it came to informing them of Kate’s cancer diagnosis

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had to be told of Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis in a low-risk way, a royal expert has revealed.

On Friday, Prince William’s wife shared the news of her diagnosis in a moving video shared around the world, prompting an outpouring of support for the mother-of-three. At the time, it was claimed that Harry and Meghan had not been told about her diagnosis prior to the announcement.

Not so, according to royal author and expert Tom Quinn. He confirmed to the Mirror that the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es were informed ahead of time, but that the news was delivered ‘strategically’ because of their difficult relationship with the royals.

“Harry and Meghan were told about Kate’s cancer diagnosis, but only a very short time before the television announcement,” Quinn said. “Telling them was a huge problem for the palace, because if they’d left Meghan and Harry in the dark until Kate’s TV broadcast there was a real risk the couple would have complained that once again the royal family was treating them badly.”

He continued: “Telling them shortly before the TV broadcast meant they couldn’t complain about being ignored while at the same time the palace would know there was less of a risk the couple might spill the beans before Kate’s broadcast.”

Following the Princess’ announcement, the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es released a short statement which read: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”

According to ITV ‘s royal editor Chris Ship, Prince Harry also “reached out to his brother” after learning of Kate’s cancer. Mr Ship added: “Harry and Meghan have both been in touch with their brother/sister-in-law but did so privately. It is not clear if that was a phone/video call or some messages of support.”

Quinn confirmed to the Mirror that Harry did contact Prince William – but did not receive a “warm, informal response” back.

“Harry and Meghan have been in contact with William, but their private message was simply one of sympathy and didn’t include any suggestion the brothers should make up and let bygones be bygones or that Harry should fly back to the UK soon,” he said.

“There is just too much ill-feeling for that. William, who is still hurt by everything Harry has said in the past, has responded, but the response is very much engineered by the palace and it’s hardly the kind of warm, informal response you would expect from one brother to another. It’s more like the sort of communication you would get between two slightly wary diplomats.”