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JAMES Middleton has revealed how his family supported Princess Kate throughout her cancer treatment.

The Princess's brother said he gave Kate Middleton a dog to help her and her family cope with the illness.

Kate's brother James Middleton revealed that he gave the Princess and her family a dog to help them cope with her illness
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Kate's brother James Middleton revealed that he gave the Princess and her family a dog to help them cope with her illnessCredit: PA
James and Alizee Thevenet at the Together at Christmas community carol service on December 8, 2021
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James and Alizee Thevenet at the Together at Christmas community carol service on December 8, 2021Credit: Getty
The mum-of-three, 42, driving to Crathie Kirk Church in Scotland
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The mum-of-three, 42, driving to Crathie Kirk Church in ScotlandCredit: Newsline
Kate and William with baby George in 2013. Tilly the retriever sleeps behind them as William holds Lupo, the couple's cocker spaniel, in frame
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Kate and William with baby George in 2013. Tilly the retriever sleeps behind them as William holds Lupo, the couple's cocker spaniel, in frameCredit: PA:Press Association

James has bred six litters, giving two puppies to Kate - Lupo, from James' dog Ella's first litter, in 2011 sadly died at the age of nine, and more recently Orla. 

James, 37, told magazine: "I know how much the dogs, for me, have helped in taking your mind off something.

"So I'm certain that for them, Orla is doing her job in supporting her family."

The Princess of Wales's brother added that their family is very close and prefers to tackle issues together.

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"That was the experience I had through my challenges, and I certainly feel like it's something that her [Catherine's] family and our family are doing too," he added.

James sent the dog to the family after revealing in his latest book how his loyal companion saved his life during his battle with mental health.

Kate was yesterday spotted for the first time since revealing her chemotherapy was over, on her way to Crathie Kirk Church near Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The Princess of Wales sat in the passenger seat of a car while Prince William, 42, was seen driving.

The mum-of-three, 42, looked well and appeared to be wearing a khaki hat.

They joined King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 77, at the small parish church.

Crathie Kirk Church is a regular place of worship for the Royal Family when they are in residence at the nearby Balmoral Castle.

Sweet moment Kate rests head on Wills’ shoulder & says they're ‘grateful for loving and being loved’ in touching video

It comes as Kate returned to work at Windsor Castle just days after revealing she had completed her chemotherapy.

She held her first official meeting in more than nine months hosting a chat with early years charity chiefs.

Last week the princess revealed she had completed her treatment and was set to appear at a handful of engagements before the end of the year.

The official Court Circular, which lists all royal engagements, read: "The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this afternoon held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor Castle."

There were no photos of the meeting but it is understood she was joined by members of her household team and representatives from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

Kate launched the centre in June 2021 to drive awareness of and action on the extraordinary impact of the early years, to transform society for the future.

She had been kept up to date with the early years scheme while having cancer treatment.

In May, sources close to Kate said she was "excited" after being well enough to be briefed on the findings of a task force she set up to help the under 5s.

She had read a 60-page report on her early years project and said to have been "kept up-to-date" with the work which has been published, it was understood.

The Windsor Castle bash is the first meeting that has been noted in the Court Circular since her health scare, the palace said.

It is actually her first meeting listed on the register since December 6.

In January she spent 13 nights in the London Clinic for planned abdominal surgery, before later revealing in a video statement she was being treated for cancer.

She made her public comeback appearing at Trooping the Colour celebrations in London in June.

Then wowed crowds as she took centre stage in the Royal Box to watch the men's tennis finals at Wimbledon in July.

Kate has earmarked joining her family at Armistice Day in November where in previous years she has watched over the King and Prince William lay wreaths from the balcony of the Foreign Office building.

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And she is expected to have a role in her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in December.

During an emotional video last week, Kate described her "relief" at finishing cancer treatment and said: "Staying cancer-free is now my focus".

Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery

JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery

JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery

JAN 18: William spends time at Kate's bedside

JAN 23: The princess' hospital stay passes one week

JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital

FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health

MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate

Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother's Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out 'kill notice' on photo

Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo and is snapped in the car with William

Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at a farm shop near Windsor

Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport

Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published a video of Kate and Wills from two days prior

MAR 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis

April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos

June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel's Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: "I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon"

June 14: Kate attended Trooping the Colour alongside her family

July 14: Kate attended the Wimbledon Men's Final with Princess Charlotte

September 9: Kate reveals she's finished chemotherapy with an intimate video showing family life

September 17: Princess returns to work at Windsor Castle hosting chat with early years charity chiefs

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