The Princess of Wales has been diagnosed with cancer and personally revealed her illness to the world.
In a deeply moving video statement, Kate Middleton disclosed that the cancer was discovered while she underwent major abdominal surgery at the London Clinic at the start of the year.
The 42-year-old princess said she needed to recover from surgery before she could start “preventative chemotherapy”, after being advised by her medical team.
The news comes as a huge shock to the royal family with King Charles and the future queen now both fighting cancer at the same time.
Speculation has swirled for weeks about Kate’s medical condition, with ceaseless rumours and wild conspiracy theories online.
Wearing a blue and white striped jumper with blue trousers and sitting on a garden bench, Kate said she had needed time to come to terms with the news and tell her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, before informing the world.
She said: “It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
Kate recorded a deeply moving statement revealing her cancer diagnosis
(BBC Studios)
“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thoughtthat my condition was non-cancerous.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after theoperation 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.”
Praising her husband as “a great source of comfort and reassurance”, Kate added: “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.
“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.”
(AP)
The video was filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, according to Kensington Palace. It is understood the video was released on the day William and Kate’s three children began their Easter school holidays to take advantage of the break to shield them from coverage of their mother’s health.
Kate was last seen at an official royal engagement at Christmas, when she attended church with the rest of the family at Sandringham.
She was admitted into hospital for two weeks in January and was expected to recuperate for several months, not returning to official duties until after Easter.
The princess did not reveal her medical condition, in contrast to the king who was open about his cancer diagnosis after going in for prostate treatment.
Her disappearance from public prompted wild rumours about her health, which were only compounded when she released a family picture to mark Mother’s Day, surrounded by her three children.
The image was pulled by six pictures agencies after it transpired the image had been digitally altered. Kate personally apologised, saying she had done a little light editing, say but the original photograph was never released.
She and William were then spotted at a farm shop in Windsor, which prompted outlandish speculation that she had bee replaced by a body double.
The rumour and conjecture will now be silenced by the shocking news from Kensington Palace and the princess has asked for privacy to let the fmaily cope with her condition.
“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.”
Paying tribute to all those who are also suffering, she finshed by saying: “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.”
It is not known how long Kate will be receiving treatment but it is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice, although this will not indicate a return to full-time duties.
More follows on this breaking story…
