United Kingdom, Feb. 3 -- Carole Middleton has been "a rock" for Catherine, Princess of Wales.

The 43-year-old royal recently announced that she's in remission from cancer, and a royal expert has now revealed that Carole, the princess' mother, has been a huge support to her daughter throughout her health troubles.

Ingrid Seward told HELLO! magazine: "Carole has always been a rock for Kate, especially this past year - she's been amazing.

"I have met her a couple of times and the word that keeps coming back to me is 'strength.' I imagine her as a sort of pioneer woman driving a wagon with a rifle at her feet, and three children in the back, fighting off any enemy. Basically, that's what she's been doing all her life, isn't it?"

The roya...