Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were criticised for using their message of support to the Princess of Wales following her shock cancer announcement on Friday night to “push their agenda” by adding a “secondary narrative”.

Princess Kate broke the nation’s hearts yesterday evening as she bravely announced she has been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, following her abdominal surgery in January, and is now undergoing preventive chemotherapy.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a brief statement three hours after Kate’s shock announcement and said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”

But now a PR expert has analysed their well wishes and said that, while the Sussex couple did good in “swiftly showing support”, they also chose to introduce a secondary narrative which could result in them being seen as “pushing their agenda”.

Renae Smith, founder of PR and brand development agency The Atticism, exclusively told Express.co.uk: “The rapidity of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s statement in response to Princess Kate’s cancer announcement is a good public relations move.

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“By swiftly showing support, they not only align themselves with the public’s sympathy but also maintain relevance in the ongoing narrative, demonstrating their empathy and connection to the situation.”

But the PR expert added the Sussex couple’s “wish for privacy” is a “nuanced addition” as it could be seen as a “subtle promotion of their longstanding battle for personal privacy”.

Ms Smith explained: “The decision to include a wish for privacy, while reflective of their personal advocacy for the same, carries the risk of being interpreted as pushing their agenda.

“It’s a nuanced addition that can be seen through multiple lenses: as a genuine wish for peace in a difficult time, or a subtle promotion of their longstanding battle for personal privacy.

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Princess Kate looking pensive

Princess Kate has been diagnosed with cancer (Image: BBC)

“Their statement underscores their consistent message on the importance of privacy, but this addition slightly detracts from the purity of the well-wishes by introducing a secondary narrative.”

The PR expert added: “As a PR strategist, my advice would have been to keep their statement focused solely on support and sympathy to avoid any misinterpretation that could overshadow the intent of solidarity.

“Despite this, it does feel genuine and I don’t feel it will have any longstanding negative implications.”