reportedly always wanted a daughter, despite being the proud father to both and . After he no doubt looked back on the bonds he has with the following a difficult year.

Back in 2016, , 42, married Prince William, after the pair met the at university. Ever since being introduced as his other half, the Princess of Wales has formed a sweet bond with her father-in-law and is even said to have been a pillar of support during his .

At the start of the year in February, it was announced by Buckingham Palace that the King had been diagnosed with a form of cancer - which he is still undergoing treatment for. It has been reported that Princess Kate and have been by his side to help him through this difficult time.

However, the Princess , just a month later. Princess Kate underwent treatment and recently shared that she was cancer-free - and is making a gradual return to pubic engagements.

The pair's close relationship has led many fans to refer to Kate as the daughter that Charles never had, with them bonding even more deeply over their battle with the disease.

Agreeing with this statement, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said: "There's little doubt that Charles would have loved a daughter (he's really quite a softie at heart) and it is said that he was disappointed when Harry turned out to be a boy."

Speaking to !, Ms Bond added: "Certainly Diana, although delighted to have a healthy second son, would have loved a daughter.

"I spoke to her about it and asked whether she and Charles would try for a third child and she said the marriage was in too much trouble to try again."

"But she admitted that she would love a daughter... and perhaps if she hadn't died, that wish might have come true."

"So, for King Charles, it's a delight that he gets on so well with Catherine. He made efforts with Meghan too... but that has obviously not worked out."

Over the years his relationship with his youngest son Prince Harry, 40, remains fraught. The Duke of Sussex stepped down as a working royal in 2020 along with his wife Meghan Markle.

The couple relocated to the US and continue to live in California with their young children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilliebet, 3.

Despite once being close to his father, the King reportedly first met his youngest grandaughter in person, just after her first birthday.

He was reunited with the Sussex firm during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. However, it is believed that he does have contact with his grandchildren via video calls.