A Princess' 'Trusted Inner Circle': Kate Middleton's Friends Provide 'Source of Comfort' as Future Queen Battles Cancer

Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, has had a "life-altering year" as she underwent surgery and was then diagnosed with cancer in less than two months, but her recovery has found her in "good spirits."

"Kate feels more at home in Norfolk," a source close to the princess disclosed. "She’s got several close friends there."

"The Van Cutsems live nearby, and so do Tom and Polly Coke," they added. "Laura Meade is a close source of comfort for the princess, and so are the Carter girls."

The future queen is also said to be close to her personal stylist, Natasha Archer, as well as several friends she also shares with Prince William. The princess is said to be dividing her time during her preventative chemotherapy treatments at the couple's country home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, England, on the royal Sandringham Estate, in addition to Adelaide Cottage near Windsor Castle.

"Kate has got a set of friends in the Windsor area, but they are relationships she has built through the children’s friendships with their children," the insider added. "It's a very different dynamic to the set she has in Norfolk. Those friends are the ones she can discuss anything with, while she can be rather closed off to others."

These details come amid a recent report that suggested Carole Middleton is helping to hold the Wales household together in the wake of her daughter's preventative cancer treatments.

"Carole has been the driving force keeping the family together with minimum fuss and maximum modesty," a Middleton family friend spilled.

The future queen's quick turnaround from ill health to "good spirits" also follows King Charles III's recent Easter Sunday appearance and walkabout with his subjects.

"The King was greeting the crowds quite unexpectedly," royal expert Cameron Walker dished. "We weren't expecting him to do so. And that shows there's a real sign that the treatment appears to be going in the right direction. And I think those close to King Charles are really hoping that that's a positive sign."

He continued: "As we look towards the summer, the Trooping the Colour ceremony and the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings are two events the King is keen to attend. They look more likely than they perhaps were back in January. And of course, the Australia tour, which is being talked about and certainly is not being ruled out by royal sources today."

It is not yet clear when the Princess of Wales will return to public royal duties and events, but with her treatments reportedly going well, it could be sooner than the previous suggestion of "September."

GBN reported on the insider revelations.