Inside Prince William’s close bond with Kate Middleton’s mom, Carole: ‘Closest thing to a mother he has’

Prince William has reportedly been leaning on his mother-in-law, Carole Middleton, as his wife, Kate Middleton, and his father, King Charles, battle cancer.

The Prince of Wales, 41, and Carole, 69, were spotted hitting a pub in Norfolk, England, on April 11 and she also spent Easter with William and his family.

According to royal expert Christopher Andersen, Carole has been a “a pillar of support for Kate” and she “has stepped up in a major way” as her daughter recovers.

On March 22, Kate, 42, said via a video statement that she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year following a planned abdominal surgery.

“The King” author told Fox News that Carole has been pitching in with the couple’s kids — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, — to help give them “a semblance of normality in their daily lives” as Kate undergoes chemotherapy.

Carole has also given William a great deal of support, as she “has been the closest thing to a mother [he] has.”

William’s mother, Princess Diana, died in August 1997 at 36 in a car crash.

“She has always been there for him as much as he has for Kate. On the other hand, the relationship between William and his actual stepmother, Queen Camilla, has always been chilly. William can count on Camilla to focus on the king and her own grandchildren, and that’s about it,” Andersen continued.

He added that William has also found a place with Kate’s family, as they were always so “warm and welcoming,” as well as “down-to-earth and easygoing.”

Andersen explained that William “felt that when he was with them, he could relax and be himself.”

“In many ways, he is closer to [Kate’s father, Michael], and Carole Middleton, than he ever was with his own father,” he said.

Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner also gave his take on the royal’s loving relationship with Carole, telling the outlet that the two “are very close.”

“Carole Middleton has become a very useful asset to William and Kate,” he said.

After taking a small step back from his royal duties to get his bearings together as Kate recuperates, it was announced Tuesday that William would be returning to work.

The Duke of Cambridge is set to visit a youth center in London, as well as a a food redistribution charity in Surrey, on Thursday.