Family to the Rescue: Kate Middleton Leans on Carole, James and Pippa as Future Queen's 'Circle of Trust Is Tiny' Amid Illness

The Princess of Wales' family has remained her 'circle of trust' as she battles cancer. MEGA

Catherine, Princess of Wales' inner sanctum outside of Prince William and her three children has only contained her immediate family members.

"The circle of trust is tiny," a friend of the Prince and Princess of Wales spilled. "She has been surrounded by Carole and Michael, and (sister) Pippa and (brother) James have obviously been there for her as well."

Kate, Princess of Wales, during the State Banquet for the South African president, Buckingham Palace, November 22, 2022. MEGA

"They are an incredibly tight family, and Catherine feels absolutely confident relying on them," they added. "They have been there for her for decades and never let her down."

This news comes amid the future queen's ongoing preventative chemotherapy treatments for an unknown type of cancer. This followed a "serious" abdominal surgery Her Royal Highness successfully underwent on January 16. Apart from a video filmed by BBC Studios and released on March 22, in which she revealed her struggle with the disease, Kate has not appeared in any official public capacity throughout 2024.

The source continued: "The key thing for her now is avoiding any kind of stress or anxiety and just getting on with the business of getting better. They will bail out and be off to Sandringham the moment school breaks up."

Princess Kate shares a 'very close bond' with her mother, Carole Middleton. MEGA

Carole, Pippa and James, all reside in the Berkshire area, close to Princess Kate's residence, Adelaide Cottage. Prince William and the future queen moved into the "quaint but grand" cottage in the summer of 2022 during the waning days of Queen Elizabeth II's life and reign. It was rumored at the time that the pair took the property "to be close" to the ailing monarch.

HRH's parents, Carole and Michael, have been living in Bucklebury Manor in Berkshire since 2012. Meanwhile, Pippa and her husband James Matthews relocated to Bucklebury Farm Park in 2022. Kate's younger brother James and his wife, Alizee Thevenet, also call the Berkshire countryside home, along with their young son, Inigo.

Reports have also reflected that the next Queen Consort has "regularly kept in touch" with her father-in-law, King Charles III, who also received a cancer diagnosis shortly before his daughter-in-law in February. The pair reportedly shared a private lunch together on March 21, one day before her video revelation shocked the world.

King Charles III and the Princess of Wales have 'kept in regular contact' during both of their illnesses. MEGA

"The King has always had a close, warm, and unique relationship with the princess," a palace source stated at that time. "She has a great love and respect for him and his position. When they were in hospital together, there was a lot of toddling down the corridor to spend time with her. He has been encouraging and supporting her throughout."

It is currently unknown when HRH will return to royal duties, with some insiders claiming it will be "sometime this summer."

Numerous sources over the years have referred to Pippa Middleton as 'both a sister and a best friend' to Princess Kate. MEGA

GBN reported on the insider revelations.