Kate deciding to share the news of her cancer diagnosis in an emotional video message was one of two paths she potentially could have taken – an expert has claimed
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Princess Kate announces she is being treated for cancer
When Kate announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer and had begun a course of preventative chemotherapy, the nation was left reeling at the news. The Princess of Wales explained directly to the public what a “shock” her diagnosis had been in an emotional video message, which had come after a “major” abdominal surgery for a condition initially thought to be non-cancerous, but post-operative tests had revealed that “cancer had been present”.
Kate didn’t disclose the details of her diagnosis, but explained personally how she had to take time after finding out the news to explain what was going on to her three children – George, Charlotte and Louis – in a “way that was appropriate for them”, and why she would be focussing on her recovery and taking time away from her work for the time being.
However, a royal expert has claimed that the personal video message was potentially one of two paths she could have taken when it came to delivering the news.
The expert – Russell Myers, royal editor for the Daily Mirror – explained on The Royal Beat for True Royalty TV that there was likely another path offered to the Princess of Wales that would have seen her able to avoid speaking directly about the difficult news and emotional subject matter.
“I think the Palace possibly would have said, ‘You are fine doing a written statement’,” Russell explained, adding, “But hopefully this will be the making of her.”
He noted that appearing in person in the video was entirely up to Kate herself: “This was very much Kate’s decision. The Princess of Wales wanted to do the video.” However, the expert explained that the timing of the announcement was an indication of just how much William and Kate’s three children are their top priority as they navigate this health challenge.
“Kate and William had decided for her to make this public statement after the children had broken up from school [for Easter]. So they told their children, they had time to digest it as a family … And that’s really important for them.”
The Sunday Times reported that not only was it Kate’s decision to film the statement, but she also wrote the entire message by herself, and that William was fully supportive of her choice to appear solo to deliver the news.
“This was her as a strong woman sharing an innately strong message to the nation. She didn’t need anyone sitting next to her,” a source was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Just because Kate felt it important to appear by herself in the message, sources said that “she did it with [William’s] full support and advice, he joined all the conversations around it”. However, “On every level, he wishes she didn’t have to do it. But it was her decision, it wasn’t begrudged and he fully supported it.”
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