Kate Middleton Breaks Royal Tradition With Sweet Gesture Amid Cancer Battle

Kate Middleton isn’t letting her cancer diagnosis keep her from being her genuine, authentic self.

To show how grateful she is for all the support she’s received from around the globe, the Princess of Wales mailed out thank you cards in response to the countless messages she’s been sent since going public with her health battle.

However, only the most dedicated royal watchers would have picked up on the fact that while the 42-year-old remained true to herself with the kind words, she seemingly also parted with royal tradition in doing so. The thank you cards signed by the princess include a brief message and the official palace letterhead but no photo–something of an unwritten rule followed by the royal family, especially around Christmastime.

“Thank you for your kind well wishes to Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales,” the short note began, per a photo published in Hello! on Tuesday, April 9. “Your thoughtful gesture is very much appreciated.”

Though the area where a photo would normally be included was left blank, her thoughtful message was abundantly clear. And after overcoming wild conspiracy theories related to a bad editing job, we don’t blame her for wanting to forgo the customary image.

The mom of three isn’t the only royal to be breaking with tradition as of late. Her father-in-law King Charles III, who is also battling an unspecified type of cancer, has been on a roll when it comes to making royal firsts.

Recently, he asked his brother, Prince Edward, and his brother’s wife, Duchess Sophie, to stand in for him during a royal event and Changing of the Guard ceremony. Days prior, the monarch made history with his unprecedented decision to open up Balmoral Castle–the family’s famed vacation home–to visitors.