Once the news went public Harry and Meghan posted a message of support for Kate which read: “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 believed that the Sussexes likely reached out to Kate in private too, despite Harry and Prince William being at loggerheads and barely on speaking terms.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun why the Waleses did not tell Harry and Meghan about Kate’s illness before the news was made public: “Well of course there is a reason for that, it’s obvious. There’s a deep rift between the brothers, that we know. We also know that they haven’t, apparently, spoken in many months.

“The reason of course is that for some four years, they’ve caused endless problems for the Royal Family and so they can’t be trusted. Prince William hasn’t trusted Harry and Meghan with good reason.”

This comes as the latest polls suggest Meghan’s popularity in the UK is dramatically low, as she is particularly disliked amongst the older generations.

A poll for the Mail on Sunday was conducted by Ipsos in May this year, with 2,116 British adults being surveyed on how they viewed Meghan and other members of the Royal Family.

Only a quarter (25 percent) of those surveyed are a fan of the Duchess of Sussex and 31 percent of those viewed Prince Harry positively.

Although Meghan is more popular with young people – with 42 percent of 18 to 34 year-olds viewing her favourably – that figure dropped to just 12 percent of 55 to 75-year-olds.