Family concerns will be front and centre for the Princess of Wales as she continues her fight with cancer, with Kate revealing yesterday how she went about the difficult task of breaking the news to her three children.
In a highly emotional video address last night, 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.
King Charles last night spoke of his pride at his daughter-in-law’s bravery and remains in the ‘closest contact’ with her, while Harry and Meghan have wished her ‘health and healing’.
William was cheered on Tuesday as he ploughed on with the day job during a visit to Sheffield, where he spoke to families who have experienced homelessness.
The heir to the throne chatted warmly to well-wishers, who at the time were unaware about Catherine’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 – he 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.
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
The Prince of Wales on Tuesday on a visit to Sheffield – part of his ambition to eliminate homelessness
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
The Princess of Wales has revealed how she is reassuring her young children following her cancer diagnosis. Pictured: Princess Catherine with her children George, Charlotte and Louis in a photo that was released for Mother’s Day this month
Prince William and Kate with their three children, George, Louis and Charlotte for a settling-in afternoon at Lambrook School in 2022
In a televised address last night, Catherine revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a successful abdominal operation in January, and that doctors have advised her to undergo preventative chemotherapy.
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.’
It is understood that the King – who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself – and the Queen have both been informed of the news.
Earlier she revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a planned operation at The London Clinic two months ago.
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
‘In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,’ she 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 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
This evening’s announcement will send shockwaves around the world and came after weeks of speculation – and wild conspiracy theories – about her health. It also creates a fresh crisis for the British Royal Family at a time where King Charles is also battling cancer. In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.
It comes after sick social media trolls spent weeks spreading wild rumours about her wellbeing as palace aides refused to comment on her recovery from abdominal surgery 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 Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.
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.
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)
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.