Princess Kate (42) received huge support on social media after announcing her cancer diagnosis on Friday (March 22). Kate's younger brother James Middleton (36) also took to Instagram and encouraged his sister: "Over the years we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too," he wrote alongside a childhood photo of the siblings . Who else is in Kate's inner circle who supports her after the diagnosis and the subsequent chemotherapy?

In addition to her children and her husband Prince William (41), whom Kate describes as a "great source of comfort and reassurance", mother Carole Middleton (69) is said to be a great support to Kate. "Her mom has been staying with her to help her recover," an insider told Us Weekly. Princess Kate, who, in addition to brother James, also has sister Pippa Middleton (40), was photographed in public with her mother for the first time after her abdominal surgery at the beginning of March. The recordings were available to the US celebrity portal "TMZ", among others, and showed Kate wearing black sunglasses in the passenger seat of a car that was being driven by her mother.

Royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun after Kate's abdominal surgery: "William will be Kate's rock while she is in hospital, but other members of the royal family will also give her their love and support." At home, William will look after the children, but will of course continue to be supported by the Spanish nanny Maria Borrallo, who has always been there for the children. With her the children are “in good hands”. The royal members with whom Kate has a close bond include Prince Edward's (60) wife Duchess Sophie (59) and Princess Anne's (73) daughter Zara Tindall (42).

As the British Daily Mail reports, Kate can also rely on a few close friends during these difficult times. This is said to include Lady Laura Meade (40), the wife of James Meade, one of Prince William's closest friends from Eton. He was William's best man and gave a speech at the royal wedding. Laura is also said to be the godmother of Prince Louis (5), and her husband is said to be the godfather of Princess Charlotte (8). The couple is said to visit the family regularly. Prince William's friend Thomas van Straubenzee and wife Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe or Kate's school friend and godmother of Prince George (10), Emilia Jardine-Paterson (42), are also said to belong to the inner circle.