Friends of Princess Kate have suggested the wild conspiracy theories and cruel speculation about her whereabouts and health played a role in the timing of her announcement
A close friend of Princess Kate says it is ‘almost desperate’ that she had to open up about her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales, 42, announced that she is undergoing the early stages of preventative chemotherapy after doctors discovered cancer present during tests following her abdominal surgery in January. The difficult news came as a “huge shock”, Kate said in her emotional and heartfelt televised statement.
It was understood the announcement was made on Friday (March 22) because it allowed Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte to break up from school for the Easter break and spend time as a family in private. Kate is often praised for being a hands-on mother who puts her children first – even in the face of crisis.
But while Kate’s main motivation was the well-being of her young family, some friends of the princess have suggested the frenzied online speculation and conspiracy about her health and whereabouts in recent weeks also played a role. One person close to the mother-of-three shared her sadness at Kate being so sincere following cruel rumours.
The pal told The Sunday Times: “Catherine’s message was so honest. Isn’t it sad that she has to be so honest and share that because of all the nonsense that has been around? I feel like the whole world has been gossiping about her and there is so much b******t out there about her and her family. It was almost desperate that she had to do it.”
But another friend said the recent ‘drama’ wasn’t the main driving force behind her decision, despite it being ‘upsetting’. They told the publication: “She felt she had to do it because of who she is. It was more that she knows she is a public figure and has a wider leadership responsibility. She also wants to be able to carry on with as active and normal a routine as possible.”
Kate was admitted to The London Clinic on January 16 for planned abdominal surgery, and Kensington Palace announced the Princess was recovering from the surgery in an official statement the following day. Further tests following her operation revealed a cancer diagnosis. It came after King Charles announced his own cancer diagnosis in January.
In Kate’s statement on Friday, she 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. 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.”
While Kensington Palace said: “Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period. Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and The Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected.”
