KATE'S WISH FOR A FAMILY SUMMER IN SCOTLAND

The royals are hoping the Princess of Wales will be able to join them for the holidays

- REBECCA RUSSELL

With health worries dominating the first seven months of the year, the summer holidays will be a welcome treat for the royal family, particularly for the Prince and Princess of Wales' young children. And Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, will be on hand to give their mum an extra boost as she continues her cancer treatment.

Even though being with her children is all Catherine, 42, would want, a carefree break will be a bonus.

And the countdown has begun to the highlight of the summer - their escape to Balmoral. It will be an especially poignant return for the mother of three, according to a leading expert.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK!, "It's been one heck of a year for the royal family so far and nothing would please the King more than to have his close family gathered at Balmoral for time to take stock together, mark the passing of an incredibly difficult few months and look to the future."

As for whether the Princess will be among those heading to Scotland this summer, Jennie adds, "Like Catherine herself has said, cancer treatment brings with it a large measure of uncertainty and that must extend to whether she is able to spend part of the summer holidays at Balmoral.

"If she does go, I'm sure the whole family will want to surround her with love, support and renewed strength. She, meanwhile, will want to make the summer months as fun and carefree for the children as she possibly can after everything she’s been through.”

However, if the family decides to stay nearer to home, an extended break to Anmer Hall in Norfolk is probably on the cards. Often referred to as their favourite home, the red brick retreat is a haven where everyone can hunker down and fill the time with games in the garden, local day trips and visits to nearby Holkham Beach.