Before they wrote a thoughtful condolence letter to Kate Garraway, William and Catherine, Prince and Prince of Wales, had already connected with the TV host. Last June, William presented Garraway with an MBE for her contributions to journalism, broadcasting, and charity. In addition, in December 2021, Garraway participated in Kate's Christmas carol concert by delivering a reading at the event. Garraway planned to attend the 2023 Christmas event, but her husband's poor health prevented her from being there. 

Kate and William have sent caring notes expressing their sympathy on multiple occasions. In 2022, the couple sent a heartfelt message to their friend Dame Deborah James as she entered hospice care for bowel cancer and posted their condolences after James died a month later.  When Sarah Everard, a university student, was murdered in 2021 after she disappeared while walking home,  Kate wrote a poignant letter to her family. Although Kensington Palace explained that they wouldn't comment on the letter's specifics, a source described the general tone to the Mirror, commenting, "Kate's letter was deeply personal and heartfelt, she expressed her absolute sadness at what Sarah's family and loved ones are going through."

The royal family has experienced grief of their own in recent years, with the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 and Prince Philip's death in April 2021. For the queen's funeral, Kate and William left handwritten missives on the late monarch's coffin.