The stylist supporting Kate Middleton through cancer treatment who’s her ‘tower of strength’ & ‘available day & night’
KATE Middleton is said to be relying on her stylist for support as she undergoes cancer treatment, according to a royal expert.
Natasha Archer, who has worked with the Princess of Wales since 2007, is said to be her “tower of strength” and is available night and day as a listening ear.
The Princess of Wales, 42, announced the “huge shock” of her cancer diagnosis back in March, and hasn’t undertaken public engagements since Christmas.
Royal biographer Claudia Joseph, author of Kate: The Making of a Princess, told Fabulous: “Natasha has been at Kate’s side since she joined the Royal family and will be a tower of strength for her as she fights her battle against cancer.”
Kate underwent the “planned major abdominal surgery” in January at the London Clinic in Mayfair, and one of the trusted members of her loyal inner circle who visited her was personal assistant and stylist, Natasha.
The close staff member has worked with the Princess of Wales for over a decade and was pictured leaving the hospital where Kate stayed following her discharge.
Claudia added: “She was one of a handful of people who visited the Princess at the London Clinic, and is, no doubt, available to her day and night, whenever she wants a chat.
“Natasha, who is five years younger than Kate, has been in the Princess’s orbit for more than 13 years and has witnessed all the key events in her life: she has been at her side for Royal weddings, births and overseas tours, she visited Kate at the Lindo Wing, at London’s St Mary’s Hospital, after the birth of her children.”
The 36-year-old stylist – who is married to royal photographer Chris Jackson – largely keeps out of the public eye and is said to have a lot in common with Kate.
Claudia continued: “The couple, who wed in 2017 at a medieval mansion near Bordeaux, are naturally discreet so they fit in with William and Kate’s ethos.
“The two women share a close bond as they have a lot in common: they both went to boarding schools, share a love of art and fashion, and are mothers – Natasha’s oldest son Theo is just a few months younger than Prince Louis.”
According to Grazia, the Queen requested that Natasha was hired as Kate’s stylist to make her wardrobe look “regal”.
A source said at the time: “Natasha’s main role is as a PA, but over the last few months she has assisted Kate as a style adviser.
“Natasha and Kate get on very well. She has always supported and advised Kate – and the Duchess loves Natasha’s style, so it seemed like an obvious appointment.”
Natasha has been responsible for some of Kate’s most iconic fashion looks, with Claudia adding that she has encouraged Kate to “experiment with her wardrobe and transform her from Sloane Ranger to style icon.”
The royal biographer added: “It is she who introduced Kate to the designer Jenny Packham, who is one of her favourites, and she who persuaded her to try shorter hemlines, culottes and wide-legged trousers.
“She scours websites for the latest trends, ordering in clothes, ironing the Royal wardrobe and dragging around her wheelie suitcase.
“She has even been known to touch up Kate’s make-up on the plane and reputedly helped William spruce up his wardrobe after he was criticised for looking like an ‘estate agent’. “Apparently, she got rid of his white Asics trainers.”
In December 2018, she was rewarded for her service and was invited to become a Member of the Royal Victoria Order.
For the occasion she donned a £250 polka dot midi dress by one of Kate’s favourite brands, LK Bennett.
More from Kate’s emotional message…
- Kate reveals she’s being treated for cancer
- Kate told George, Charlotte and Louis ‘I’m going to be ok’
- Charles ‘proud of Kate’s courage’ after brave statement
- The Princess won’t return to royal duties until she’s cleared
- ‘William is by my side’ says Kate in shock cancer statement
- Kate’s diagnosis ‘was reason Will pulled out of service’
- Live updates as brave Kate opens up on cancer diagnosis
- Princess Kate’s emotional video statement in full
Earlier this month, Prince William revealed Kate is “doing well” following her cancer diagnosis.
The Prince of Wales commented on her health during a visit to St Mary’s Community Hospital on the Isles of Scilly.
Prince William has been cutting back his public engagements to help support his wife and their three young children.
Kensington Palace's original statement on Kate Middleton's surgery
KENSINGTON Palace released a statement in January after Kate had undergone surgery.
Sources made it clear Kate would be out of action until at least Easter.
The palace said: “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate.
“She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.
“She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
However, Kensington Palace recently announced the 41-year-old would be resuming his public appearances.
This suggests that the mum-of-three’s recovery is on track, according to royal expert Phil Dampier.
He told Fabulous Digital: “There are some tell-tale signs that she is getting better as Prince William is undertaking more jobs, including going to the Scilly Isles where he will be away for a day or two.
“I don’t think he would be out and about more, unless he was happy she was on the mend.”
The two women [Kate and Natasha] share a close bond as they have a lot in common
Claudia Joseph
Reports suggest he will continue to do more public engagements before his children break up for summer in July and August.
According to The Times, it’s understood that Prince William plans to “increase his diary of public engagements over the next two months”.
Kate first announced her health battle in a touching video on March 22.
She shared the news after post-operation tests revealed she had the disease.
Addressing the nation, she commented: “This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
Natasha has been at Kate’s side since she joined the Royal family and will be a tower of strength for her as she fights her battle against cancer
Claudia Joseph
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.”
Royal expert Phil Dampier adds that getting cancer in her early forties was a “tremendous shock,” but says the princess will be getting the “best treatment and hopefully make a full recovery”.
He adds: “When Kate is back in action the interest in her will be off the scale and she will have to pace herself.
“She will certainly be more popular than ever and I’m sure the public will rally around her.
“Her parents Carole and Michael, as well as her sister Pippa and brother James, have been there for her and that support network is crucial as well.”
Prince William is a pillar of strength for Kate
Expert analysis by author and royal expert, Ingrid Seward.
Steadfast when his family needed him, William has proved himself as a man and future monarch of strength and compassion.
While he might not have been present during Kate’s courageous video address on Friday — make no mistake, he has been by her side every step of the way.
William has stepped up with school-run duties and provided a “great source of comfort and reassurance” to his wife.
But he has also been a comforting and reassuring presence for the public.
From leading members of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day Service to enjoying cheerful banter with youngsters on a youth centre visit, he hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Just this week he visited Sheffield to highlight his Homewards project to end homelessness in the UK.
Even then there were few chinks in his facade — but Kate was clearly on his mind.
“She needs to be sat here to hear this,” he smiled when the discussion turned to the challenges of young families.
But ultimately he is only human.
To have your father and your wife diagnosed with cancer in such quick succession is heart-shattering.
It’s a remarkable insight into the character of this young man that he has been so incredibly brave.
Theirs is a very private turmoil which has been brought into the public arena by the nature of their roles as future King and Queen.
William must feel the weight of enormous responsibility, both personally and for the monarchy, of which he is now the public face.
But he knows his most important role is that of dad and husband.
He will make that his priority.
This is a distinct difference from the ways of the past, where your royal role came before the role of spouse and parent.
Think back to when the Queen was young.
William’s priority is his family
It was a man’s world then — and she was forced to abandon her children in a way that William is determined not to.
William and Kate waited until the school term was over and their children were home before making their public announcement.
They needed to be prepared.
In this, they will have had the wholehearted support of Charles — who knows what it feels like to be brought up by nannies.
William was also acutely aware of the lack of his own father’s presence in his life, especially when things went wrong.
In 1991, he was accidentally hit over the head with a golf club when he was at school and Diana was having lunch in her favourite restaurant San Lorenzo.
The call came through that William had been bashed on the head and they thought he might die so it was very serious.
Both Charles and Diana rushed down to Ludgrove.
William was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and then to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Diana went with him.
But ever a man of duty, Charles prioritised his engagements.
William is determined to do things differently