Pop CultureROYAL WATCH
Prince William relied on 'sounding board' Carole amid Kate Middleton…
The report says William turned to family friend Carole during Kate's cancer treatment; a lobbyist for both sides explains the privacy business, at length, on the clock.
On air: Gloria Vance on BBN OvernightPublished
At a glance
- First reported by The News International: “Prince William relied on ‘sounding board’ Carole amid Kate Middleton cancer”.
- Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 12:20 AM ET on BBN Overnight, by Gloria Vance.
- Topics: Princess Kate, Prince William.
- BBN covered this story before: A-listers pick sides in the William and Harry royal feud (October 12).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The News InternationalPrince William relied on ‘sounding board’ Carole amid Kate Middleton cancer
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe News International reports that Prince William leaned on a family friend, Carole, as a sounding board while Kate Middleton was being treated for cancer.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWith us tonight is Barnaby Quist, a consultant on palace access, joining us from a parked car outside London.
Barnaby QuistGood evening, Gloria.
Barnaby QuistSpeaking purely as a friend of the story, I think a sounding board is a beautiful thing, and my client the Royal Households Privacy Council agrees.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorLet me ask you about that. Your firm also represents the publishers who print stories about the family. Which side are you on?
Barnaby QuistBoth sides want the same thing, which is for people to feel close to the family without getting too close.
Barnaby QuistSpeaking purely as a friend of the story, my other client, a weekly magazine, calls that a circulation strategy.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorBut you didn't answer the question. Whose side are you on?
Barnaby QuistI'm on the side of dignity, and a good lunch. I keep a folder of the receipts, and every one of them is billed to someone different.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorDifferent?
Barnaby QuistSpeaking purely as a friend of the story, last Thursday the palace's friends picked up the soup tab, while the tabloid covered the leak that came with dessert.
Barnaby QuistBoth calls went well.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo who are you a sounding board for tonight?
Barnaby QuistYou, Gloria. Speaking purely as a friend of the story, the invoice for this interview is in my folder, and it's got your name on it.
The story so far
- William and Kate Make Surprise Rainy Visit to Northern Ireland · People.com
- Royals Surprise IKEA Shoppers, Marie Claire Reports · Marie Claire
- Belfast Homelessness Centre Hosts Prince William and Kate · The Times
- A-listers pick sides in the William and Harry royal feud · News24
- Prince William relied on 'sounding board' Carole amid Kate Middleton… (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 · the Pop Culture archive · all months
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