The Princess of Wales has revealed her “huge shock” at being diagnosed with cancer in an emotional video message.
Kate underwent “major abdominal surgery” in January and at the time of her operation, it was thought that her condition was non-cancerous, as no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However, post-operative tests confirmed that cancer had been present. In her heartfelt statement to the world confirming her diagnosis, recorded in Windsor on Wednesday, Kate spoke of “an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family”. Here’s what we know so far about her diagnosis, her treatment, how her family are coping and when she might return to royal duties…
Cancer diagnosis and discovery
On January 16, Kate had abdominal surgery at the London Clinic and tests at the time showed her condition was non-cancerous. However, post-operative tests found cancer had been present – it is not known when Kate found this out.
In her video message, Kate said the surgery was successful and she took time to recover from the major operation in order to start the treatment. The type of cancer is battling has not been disclosed. Kensington Palace said no further medical information will be shared, and that Kate has a right to medical privacy just like everyone else.
Treatment plan
In her video message, Kate confirmed she is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy in February.
Preventative chemotherapy, also called adjuvant chemotherapy, aims to stop cancer from coming back once the main tumour has been removed from the body. Cancer can spread through the body through a process called ‘metastasis’. This is where the tiny cancer cells break off from the main tumour and these can be harder to detect. Kensington Palace says it will not be sharing where Kate will be receiving her treatment or how often she will be receiving it.
Filming emotional message
After a video of William and Kate at a farm shop went public last week, reports suggested the prince and princess “planned to be more open and honest” about her condition. And according to The Sunday Times, Kate’s decision to share her cancer diagnosis was about speaking directly to the public.
One friend told the publication: “It allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly, have always been with her and her family and who don’t buy into the noise and gossip.” And it added that Kate wanted to show hope and solidarity with other people, who may be facing the same challenges as her and reassure the public she is “well and getting stronger every day”.
Once her decision to make the video was made, it is believed the process of filming it came together “very quickly” and Kate “wrote every word” of the speech. A friend told the Sunday Times: “A written statement, she felt, would be too jarring. It was about people seeing her, and her reassuring people that she was positive about it. Knowing it was news that was going to shock people, she wanted to do it as compassionately as possible. When things are really tough, that gratitude to the public for their support is their mantra”
The filming of the emotional video came on Wednesday in Windsor with it being recorded by BBC Studios. According to its website, BBC Studios, the principal commercial arm of the BBC group, is responsible for generating revenue and profits which are returned to the BBC to support the licence fee.
The production team are believed to have been asked to film the message after working on broadcasts of the King’s Coronation and the late Queen’s funeral. It is understood no edits were made to the video message, that BBC Studios had no editorial input into the message and were not involved in the finished film’s distribution. In a statement, BBC Studios said: “BBC Studios filmed a message from the Princess of Wales at Windsor this week. We would like to wish Her Royal Highness a speedy recovery.”
How George, Charlotte and Louis were told
In the video, Kate says that she and her husband Prince William, 41, personally informed their three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight and Prince Louis, five of her diagnosis – but told them: “I am going to be ok”.
She said: “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.”
And it was her children who were a major factor in the princess revealing her cancer news now. The Palace said: “The princess wanted to share this information when she and the prince felt it was right for them as a family.” It is understood William and Kate wanted to be able to tell their children at the right time and allow them to understand and process the news before it became public, and decided to make the announcement now the children are away from school on their Easter holidays.
How Prince William is coping
Kensington Palace said William will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year. He is expected to carry out engagements when George, Charlotte and Louis return to school after the Easter holidays.
Kate’s cancer diagnosis was the reason William missed the memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece, last month. A palace source said: “Clearly this has been a difficult period for the Wales family. The prince is focused on supporting his wife and children while continuing to undertake engagements and work. He is extremely grateful for the support from the public.”
King Charles heart-to-heart
No doubt the royals will be rallying around Kate as she receives treatment – and her father-in-law King Charles has already spoken of his pride in her courage.
Royal sources confirmed Charles and Queen Camilla had been informed of the princess’ condition and of her public statement ahead of time. The shocking news comes amid the King’s own battle with the disease after Buckingham Palace announced on February 5 that the monarch had been diagnosed with “a form of cancer”. Charles, 75, has been undergoing weekly treatment for the disease and keeping up with a small diary of controlled public engagements, while also issuing a recent message of thanks to the public for the messages of support he had received.
Buckingham Palace said His Majesty is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did. Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks. Both Their Majesties will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time”.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that just a day before Kate’s video was released, she had a major heart-to-heart with her father-in-law. It is believed he travelled from London to Windsor to console his “beloved daughter-in-law” on Thursday in London after she had recorded her moving message to the nation, but before it aired on Friday evening. The Princess is said to have wanted to speak with the monarch to learn about his own struggle and to see how he’d been coping.
A source told The Sun: “They would have had lots to discuss and share because just weeks earlier the King had begun his course of treatment and dealt with announcing his diagnosis. The King left his lunch feeling very emotional. They are very close and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter. There is no doubt there is a lot they can share and can use each other for support during their own deeply personal cancer battles.”
Family reaction
Also addressing the news was Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who are known to have a frosty bond with William and Kate. It has been reported that the Sussexes only found out about the news when it was revealed to the world.
In a short statement, the couple said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.” Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Harry and Meghan have both reached out to William and Kate privately following the news. ITV’s royal editor Chris Ship tweeted: “Harry and Meghan have both been in touch with their brother/sister-in-law but did so privately. It not clear if that was a phone/video call or some messages of support.”
A sweet message also came in for Kate from Charles Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana, who is an uncle of William’s. Sharing her video statement, he simply tweeted: “Incredible strength and poise.”
When it came to the Middleton family, Kate’s younger brother James took to Instagram with a heartfelt message about his sister. He shared a sweet photo of the pair, which showed how close they were as children and tenderly wrote: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
Meanwhile, her uncle Gary Goldsmith, who recently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, issued an urgent apology after an interview with a weekend magazine in which he speaks about his royal niece hit news stands – hours after Kate bravely went public with her diagnosis. Gary, who was the first housemate to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house, spoke about the Princess of Wales’ disappearance from the spotlight in his latest interview titled Gary Goldsmith: Camilla, Kate, William and me. He also weighed in on the state of Kate’s marriage to Prince William, their ‘feud’ with Meghan Markle and the Middleton’s business Party Pieces collapsing.
After realising the horror of of his ill-timed chat being published this weekend, Kate’s uncle Gary took to Twitter to apologise and explain his actions. He told his followers: “As many will have seen, I am featured in Saturday’s “Times Magazine”. This interview and shoot was done over a week ago and went to print before I was aware of the sad news regarding my niece Kate. My thoughts and prayers are with Kate and the wider family at this difficult time and deeply upset at the timing of this article. I hope this draws a line over the continued speculation and horrible conspiracies. Let’s give Kate, William & the children time and show some love back.”
Kate’s return to royal duties and message of hope
When Kate underwent surgery in January, it was said she would not return to royal duties until after Easter – but now there is currently no time frame for her to return to royal duties. Kate said she would now focus on her recovery and would “look forward to being back when I am able”. The family will skip the royals’ annual Easter Sunday church service at Windsor next weekend.
A palace spokesman said: “The princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.” Kate may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able, in line with medical advice, but any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule. Meanwhile, in a sign of her incredible bravery, the princess issued a message of hope for those also facing their own battle, saying: “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
Meanwhile last night, both William and Kate thanked people around the world for their messages of support after she bravely revealed her diagnosis. A spokesman said: “The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal ÂHighness’ message. They are extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”
