Sarah Ferguson reveals it's been a 'special gift' to share her story books with her grandchildren - as she battles cancer alongside King Charles

Duchess of York, 64, has been diagnosed with cancer for second time in a yearRead More: Queen Mary of Denmark, 52, shares sweet photo with her father John Donaldson to mark her first birthday on the throne 

Sarah Ferguson has gushed about how it has been a ‘special gift’ to share her children’s books with her grandchildren – as she battles cancer alongside King Charles.

The Duchess of York, 64, was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in January after undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer last year.

Last night, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer and would be stepping back from public duties during his treatment.

Earlier this week, Sarah Ferguson opened up about her relationship with her three grandchildren as she posted on her Instagram to commemorate Children’s Author’s Week.

Prince Andrew’s ex-wife has written 35 books over the past 30 years – including 15 children’s books.

Pictured: Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie seen participating in King Charles’ The Big Help Out last year

The Duchess wrote: ‘I feel very lucky to be able to call myself a children’s book author as a mother and now as a grandmother!

‘Creating magic with my girls when they were young is what brought many of my children’s book characters to life.

‘Being able to now share that with my grandchildren and with children around the world has been an unbelievably special gift.

‘Every time I pick up one of my children’s books, I can feel all of that precious time spent together.’

The Duchess became a grandmother for the third time in May 2023 when her youngest daughter Princess Eugenie – who had her son August in 2021 – announced the arrival of baby Ernest.

Princess Beatrice shares daughter Sienna with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and is also step-mother to his son Wolfie.

Sarah’s post amassed over 9,200 ‘likes’ and fans were full of praise for her writing.

‘Such a wonderful gift to the next generation,’ one said. Another added: ‘Love your books!’

Fergie’s skin cancer diagnosis has left her ‘thinking about her life and mortality’, a source recently claimed

Pictured: Princess Eugenie’s eldest son August seen placing a loving hand on his baby brother Ernest in June 2023

A third gushed: ‘My son ( who is now 32) adored Budgie the Little Helicopter, we had story books and play sets.

‘Read stories over and over. Lovely to see you are making happy memories for children and parents through your books!’

Prince Harry’s father called him personally to tell him the devastating news about his cancer and the Duke of Sussex has jumped on a plane so he could be in the UK later today.

A luxury Range Rover believed to be carrying the British royal was seen arriving at LAX’s VIP terminal last night and there are claims he boarded the earliest flight and could be in London by lunchtime.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: ‘I’m sure Harry will put aside the past right now for this serious issue. The Royal family – including the Sussexes – it’s so important that everyone is pulling in the right direction’.

The King spent last night at home in London after beginning out-patient cancer treatment – as family and friends revealed that the monarch remains ‘hugely positive’ following his bombshell diagnosis.

Buckingham Palace released this photo of King Charles last night as they revealed the monarch has been diagnosed with cancer

The Duchess was diagnosed with malignant melanoma days after Christmas. Pictured: Sarah Ferguson attending Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023

Fergie’s skin cancer diagnosis has left her ‘thinking about her life and mortality’, a source recently claimed.

She praised her dermatologist for spotting the malignant melanoma – an aggressive form of skin cancer – just months after she underwent surgery for breast cancer.

The mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie admitted the second diagnosis was a ‘shock’, but revealed she was now in ‘good spirits’ and grateful for the many messages of love and support.

Speaking via an Instagram post, she revealed she was now taking some time for herself, having received the diagnosis after several moles were removed during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy in June.

One was identified as cancerous and she is now undergoing further medical checks to make sure the cancer has been caught in the early stages.

She added that her experience underlined the importance of checking new moles and urged anyone who was reading her post to ‘be diligent’.

The Duchess wrote: ‘I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

‘It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was.

‘Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.

‘I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent.

‘I am incredibly thankful to the medical teams that have supported me through both of these experiences with cancer and to the MAYRLIFE Clinic for taking gentle care of me in the past weeks, allowing me time for recuperation. I am resting with family at home now, feeling blessed to have their love and support.’

Privately the Duchess is getting to grips with the news, with a source close to her telling MailOnline it ‘feels like the worst icing on the cake’ after tribulations over the last year.