How Meghan Markle Prioritized Sister-In-Law Kate Middleton After Cancer Announcement

Previously unreleased photos emerged yesterday showcasing Meghan Markle during a visit to a children's hospital on March 21.

The release quickly raised eyebrows, given that the Duchess and her team typically release photos from similar engagements within a day of the event. Now, reports have hinted at the reason behind this departure from the norm.

On March 21, the Duchess of Sussex visited a children's hospital to mark their annual Make March Matter campaign.

Details surrounding the visit indicate that Meghan actively engaged with the children and their families during a special "Literally Healing Storytime" session. During this time, she read aloud three of her favorite books and also enjoyed fun moments of laughing and singing with the children.

However, the following day, March 22, the Duchess did not release the pictures taken from the event, which seemed to depart from her usual practice after attending such events.

According to reports, this delay was a deliberate move to avoid overshadowing the news of Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis, which was made public on March 22.

It is also likely that Meghan thought that releasing the photos at the time would be perceived as insensitive, potentially causing friction within the royal family.

The Duchess's team has yet to comment on the reasoning behind the delayed release.

Kate's cancer reveal was heard around the world, as many had already been looking out for reports about her health following her major abdominal surgery in January.

While the surgery was successful, and at the time, it was thought that her condition was not cancerous, further post-operation tests proved otherwise.

"My medical team therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment," Kate said in an emotional video to announce her condition and update the public on the steps she has taken.

She also mentioned that it was a "huge shock" for her and her husband, Prince William, and that they have been doing everything "to process and manage this privately for the sake" of their "young family."

Kate added, "We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment….For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."

After Kate's announcement, Meghan and Harry released a statement of their own to show their support for the mother of three.

It read, per People, "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."

It is also understood that the Sussexes spoke with Kate and William privately during this trying time.

At the time, a source claimed that the couple had no idea about Kate's abdominal surgery and recovery.

"They are aware of everything that goes on back in England but are being left out of any details regarding Kate," the source told the news outlet. "There is clearly no trust."

The news of their message came after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex slammed reports that they had mocked Kate's Mother's Day photo after it was revealed that she had Photoshopped it.

Page Six claimed that an official source from the Harry and Meghan's camp mocked Kate's Photoshop fail and commented on what Meghan would have done if she were in the same position.

Swiftly, a spokesperson from Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation denied the reports, stating that they did not originate from them.

"With respect to Page Six, that did not come from us," the spokesperson said, per Newsweek.

Page Six did not state that the comments came from someone inside Archewell, as Newsweek pointed out that the information could have come from someone close to the Sussexes who was expressing a personal opinion and was not officially authorized to speak on the couple's behalf.

Whether Harry and possibly Meghan will travel down to see Kate and Williams in person is still unclear.

Both sides of the royal family have had their connections strained over the years for a number of reasons. They were last seen together in public in September 2022, when they were pictured taking a walk in Windsor after the Sussexes came over for Queen Elizabeth's funeral.

Since then, Meghan and Harry have not visited the Yorks. However, the Invictus Games founder has visited the U.K. a few times for reasons related to King Charles.

Harry's latest visit came in early February after the announcement of King Charles's shocking cancer diagnosis. At the time, the former senior royal stayed overnight in a hotel and then left from London's Heathrow Airport the next day.