Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving chemotherapy.
The announcement came Friday in the form of an emotional video posted on Kensington Palace’s social media.
Clearing up weeks of speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding her health, the Princess of Wales further disclosed that while her abdominal surgery in January was initially believed to be for a non-cancerous condition, later tests showed the presence of cancer.
Highlights
- Kate Middleton has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing “preventive chemotherapy”
- She conveys in a video message the profound shock of the news and the family's challenging period.
- Catherine, aged 42, shares the effort to explain the situation to her children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, ensuring them of her well-being.
- Successful abdominal surgery in January precedes the discovery of cancer through subsequent tests.
- Harry and Meghan wish Kate 'health and healing'
She is now undergoing “preventive chemotherapy.”
It remains unclear the type she has been diagnosed with or the prognosis.
Kate Middleton has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing “preventive chemotherapy”
Image credits: Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images
“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery,” the 42-year-old said.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”
The announcement followed a period of intense uncertainty surrounding her health, as the Princess of Wales had not made an official public appearance since Christmas.
“William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” Kate said
Image credits: princeandprincessofwales
The bulk of her message focused on the “huge shock” the diagnosis has had for her family. She implied that her absence from the public sphere has been out of a need for time to explain the situation to her and Prince William’s three children: George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.
"William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” Kate said.
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.”
The Princess of Wales did not specify what kind of cancer she has
The Princess of Wales revealed that she told her children that she is “well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help [her] heal; in [her] mind, body and spirits.”
She also thanked Prince William for being by her side as “a great source of comfort and reassurance."
The mother-of-three asked people to respect her privacy during this difficult time in her life.
“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
"My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."
The mother-of-three asked people to understand that she needs "time, space and privacy "
Image credits: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Kate finished the video with a heartfelt message to others suffering from cancer.
“For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone," she said.
The announcement follows that of King Charles III, who disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer in early February.
Following the publication of her video, Charles said that he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did."
Charles remains in the “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.
The princess told her children that she is “well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help [her] heal"
Image credits: princeandprincessofwales
Kate was informed of her diagnosis following her abdominal surgery in January
Image credits: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
She will now postpone her official duties to focus on her recovery
Image credits: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also spoken out on sister-in-law Kate's diagnosis, expressing in a joint statement that they "wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Kate had “the love and support of the whole country.”
"When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family," Sunak wrote in a statement shared on social media.
The Prince and Princess of Wales wanted to wait for their children to be out of school for the Easter holidays before making the announcement, CNN reports.
While Kate was initially anticipated to resume her official duties after Easter, she will now postpone any further work until her medical team clears her to do so.
As for Prince William, he will continue his public-facing duties while supporting his wife and children, a royal source told CNN.
Kensington Palace is not expected to reveal any more details regarding Kate’s health, including the type of cancer she has or at what stage it is.
People lamented the terrible news and wished Kate a speedy recovery
