After weeks of conspiracy theories and riddles over Kate Middleton’s health, the nation was left heartbroken last week when the sad truth was finally revealed that the Princess Of Wales had been dealt a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Kate, who had planned abdominal surgery on 16 January, bravely opened up to the nation in an emotional video – which was released last Friday – believed to have been timed to coincide with the start of her children’s Easter school holidays.

In the official video, Kate, 42, said the diagnosis had come as a “huge shock”, explaining, “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and, at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. 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 treatment.”

And in an emotional moment, Kate – mum to Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five – revealed how she broke the news to her children with the support of her husband Prince William – describing him as a “great source of comfort and reassurance.”

Though the news was met with shock and sadness, it seems that Kate is doing well and is hoping for a full recovery, revealing in the video, “I am well and getting stronger every day”. Although it is understood she will be stepping back from public duties for the foreseeable future.

Understandably, insiders say the Royal family were left devastated by Kate’s diagnosis, especially as King Charles is also receiving treatment for cancer after being diagnosed earlier this year. In a statement released by the King, he said he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did”.

Having kept a low profile since Christmas, with only two brief paparazzi sightings, royal watchers were surprised when Kate was spotted at a local farm shop last week. She was seen walking along with Prince William at the Windsor Farm Shop near their Adelaide Cottage home, and onlookers remarked that she looked “happy, healthy and relaxed”.

Her appearance came three days before allegations that a staff member at the London Clinic, where the princess underwent her surgery in January, had tried to hack into Kate’s medical records. It’s the latest saga in a testing time for the princess, who has faced constant – often outlandish – speculation and claims about her condition, her whereabouts and her marriage.

Katie Nicholl, author of Kate: The Future Queen, told Closer prior to the latest official statement on Kate’s health that the potential data breach – which occurred days before Kate’s statement – would have caused her deep dismay. “It’s a very serious allegation and one can only imagine the princess would feel upset and angry that someone in a position of authority would try to access her private medical records,” she says.

Having taken a break from her royal duties since her surgery two months ago, Kate went on to reveal she’s hoping she can return to her duties when she has completed her treatment and is feeling better.

Katie reveals that she will be excited to eventually come back to work, stronger than ever, especially as the princess admits that “work has always brought me a deep sense of joy”.

“I’m sure she is looking forward to picking up where she left off,” Katie adds. “The princess will have felt disappointed and probably frustrated to have let people down, particularly the work that she was doing for her Early Years campaign.

“This period of time will have been very difficult for her, for someone who’s used to operating at a fast pace, juggling a lot of balls and managing a lot of different things in her life. So I would imagine that she’s probably very much looking forward to a dose of normality, because the past couple of months have been anything but normal. They’ve been extraordinary. I can only imagine it’s been very difficult for her.”

Katie tells Closer that all the “Kate-spiracies” would have caused the princess further stress and misery. “Kate knew that this would generate a huge amount of interest. That said, I don’t think she expected anything on the level that she’s received,” she says. “As a mother with three children to look after and worry about, I think Kate is probably feeling pretty shellshocked and quite upset by the wild and frankly ludicrous online speculation and bizarre conspiracy theories. For someone who’s gone through a very serious operation, that must be very frustrating and upsetting to have to deal with.”

Katie continues, “One can only hope that Kate, who has always been adored by the public, committed to service and public duty and known for being unflappable in a crisis, is just not letting it get to her.”