Family concerns will be front and centre for the Princess of Wales as she continues her fight with cancer, with Kate revealing last night how she went about the difficult task of breaking the news to her three children.
In a highly emotional video address, Kate, 42, told how she had wanted to keep her diagnosis secret while she took the time to ‘explain everything’ to George, Charlotte and Louis and assure them ‘I’m going to be ok’.
Prince William has been steadfast in offering ‘comfort and reassurance’ to his wife since her diagnosis – while also bravely continuing his royal duties and masking his personal pain.
Also by Kate’s side are her parents, Carole and Michael, and siblings, Pippa and James, who have been supporting her recovery at home in Windsor – which they live close to.
King Charles last night spoke of his pride at his daughter-in-law’s bravery and remains in the ‘closest contact’, while Harry and Meghan have wished her ‘health and healing’ and are understood to have ‘privately’ made contact last night.
William has put aside his private pain to plough on with royal duties, and was cheered on Tuesday during a visit to Sheffield – where he spoke to families who have experienced homelessness.
The Princess of Wales has revealed how she is reassuring her young children following her cancer diagnosis. Pictured: Kate with her children George, Charlotte and Louis in a photo that was released for Mother’s Day this month
The Prince of Wales on Tuesday on a visit to Sheffield – part of his ambition to eliminate homelessness
William with Chairman of Wrexham AFC Rob McElhenney (left) and Executive Director of Wrexham AFC Humphrey Ker during a visit to The Turf public house on March 1
Prince William touches the hand of Renee Salt, 94, a Holocaust survivor, during a visit to the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London on February 29
Prince William and Kate with George, Louis and Charlotte for a settling-in afternoon at Lambrook School in 2022
The heir to the throne chatted warmly to well-wishers, who at the time were unaware about his wife’s diagnosis. In previous weeks he’s also been seen visiting a synagogue in London, where he held the hand of Holocaust survivor Renee Salt, 94.
And on St David’s Day – March 1 – William visited the famous Turf Pub in Wrexham – where he chatted to Wrexham AFC’s Hollywood owner Rob McElhenney. The venue will be familiar to viewers of the Disney+ ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series.
In a televised address last night, Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a successful abdominal operation in January.
The princess is now on what has been described as a ‘recovery pathway’ having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.
It is for this reason that William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.
The future Queen revealed that she and her husband have been focusing on their children during this difficult time.
She said: ‘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.
‘As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.
‘Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.
‘As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.’
Kate’s younger brother James was among those to pay a touching tribute to the princess as she continues her treatment.
The 36-year-old took to Instagram to share a childhood photo with the Princess on a hiking trip, saying: ‘Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.’
Royal fans were quick to react, pointing out how the entrepreneur will now support Kate in the same way she was by his side through his battles with depression.
William at the Learning Zone in Sheffield on Tuesday – his last official engagement
William put on a brave face during Tuesday’s visit, with smiles masking his private pain
The Princess of Wales pictured attending the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, last year
The diagnosis took place after the future Queen underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Pictured: Police officers stand guard outside the building on January 28
King Charles – who is also undergoing treatment for cancer – with Singapore’s High Commissioner on Thursday
Kate’s cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.
Explaining the lead-up to her diagnosis in last night’s video message, the princess said: ‘In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.
‘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 Princess of Wales added that the news had left the family shaken and they have been coming to terms with her diagnosis in private.
She said: ‘This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
‘As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.’
Catherine added that she and her family would like privacy while she battles the disease.
She said: ‘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.
‘At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
‘For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.’
Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer
The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales’ younger brother James took to Instagram to share a childhood photo with the Princess on a hiking trip, saying that they would ‘climb this mountain together’ after it was revealed Kate has been diagnosed with cancer
The Princess of Wales’s cancer announcement marks the latest blow to the royal family over the past year, including the King also being diagnosed with the disease.
Charles was admitted to hospital just days after Kate, also for a procedure deemed unrelated to cancer.
In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, which is not prostate cancer, that was discovered while the King was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate.
In wishing the monarch a full recovery, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said thankfully the cancer had been ‘caught early’.
During a visit to Northern Ireland this week, the Queen said the King is ‘doing very well’ and sent his ‘very, very best wishes’ to the First and deputy First Minister.
The King has postponed public-facing duties but is said to be continuing to work behind the scenes on his red boxes – his state business and official papers.
Sarah, Duchess of York, became the third royal in quick succession to announce a medical procedure at the beginning of 2024, when she revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
It was her second cancer diagnosis within a year, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer which led to her undergoing a mastectomy and subsequent reconstructive surgery.
She had discovered an early form of breast cancer during a routine mammogram screening.
‘Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support,’ Sarah said on Instagram.
In late February, tragedy befell Prince Michael’s family when Thomas Kingston, the husband of Michael’s daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor, died from a ‘catastrophic head injury’ with a gun close to his body.
For many years, it was the estrangement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that dominated discourse around the royal family after the pair stepped down as working royals in 2020.
Having relocated to Montecito, California, Harry has returned to the UK infrequently but did so after the King’s cancer diagnosis.
Though the duke only conducted a whirlwind 45-minute meeting with his father, Harry suggested that the King’s cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with the family.
Asked by a US breakfast show if the diagnosis could have a ‘re-unifying effect’, Harry replied: ‘Yeah, I am sure.’
Kate’s cancer is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece (pictured)
Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.
However they say that she is in ‘good spirits and focused on her recovery’.
‘She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,’ a spokesman said.
‘She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.’
It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts – although that has been upsetting and unpleasant – but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.
A spokesman for the princess said: ‘We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.’
However her spokesman confirmed: ‘The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy…in late February.’
The palace will not confirm how long her treatment is expected to last and has asked the media and public not to speculate.
It also said it would not confirm where her treatment would be taking place, a spokesman adding: ‘We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.’
Asked when the princess was given the news by her doctors, a spokesman explained: ‘Once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed.’
They added: ‘The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family. ‘
A source said it had been ‘an incredibly tough couple of months for the entire family’ and it had been important for the princess to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover form her surgery and begin her pathway to recovery.
Throughout this period the couple’s children have been her priority.
It is understood that William and Kate wanted to tell their children at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public.
With the children having broken up from Lambrook School today for the Easter holidays this afternoon, they decided that now was the right time to share the statement.
Sources say their concern recently, despite global and social media speculation, was to put Catherine’s health and their children first.
It is now hoped, aides said, the speculation around the princess comes to a stop.
Catherine is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery, and has asked for people to respect her privacy.
