Fergie's brave: HEALTH BATTLE

THE KING IS PROTECTING HIS SISTER-IN-LAW THROUGH TOUGH TIMES

While it took the Duchess of York’s breast cancer diagnosis to do it, the simmering tensions between Sarah Ferguson and King Charles are said to have subsided after 31 years.

Last week, Fergie revealed she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer following a mammogram, and underwent successful surgery. The diagnosis is said to have deeply shocked her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Yet, it was the reaction from her former brother-in-law that is said to have moved Fergie, 63, the most.

“It’s true that Charles and Sarah were never close. Not when Diana was alive and certainly not after years of tawdry headlines,” confirms a royal source.

However, the 74-year-old monarch now appears to want to put all that behind him.

“He has really softened on her of late,” the source adds.

Fergie’s standing within the royal family has always been rather wobbly. Charles’ late father, Prince Philip, in particular wasn’t a massive fan, both during and after Fergie’s marriage to Andrew, Duke of York.