Kate Middleton has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer. The Princess of Wales released a video statement saying that she is in the early stages of treatment, receiving preventative chemotherapy. Kate underwent abdominal surgery in December, and says while her condition was initially considered non-cancerous, tests later revealed that cancer was present.

Posting on social media, the Princess of Wales filmed a video message to the public explaining her cancer diagnosis and requesting privacy on behalf of her family:

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. 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.

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 that treatment.

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 okay.

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.

Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

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.

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_jE1j_KOZk

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also released a statement of support. ‘She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today,’ he said. ‘In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media. When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.’

The statement comes after weeks of speculation about Kate Middleton’s health. The Princess of Wales took medical leave from her public duties, with her last official public appearance on Christmas Day, in order to receive abdominal surgery. She was hospitalised at The London Clinic for 13 days for her surgery. When she was discharged on 29 January, Kensington Palace released a statement that she had left hospital and was ‘making good progress’ recovering at home and would return to public duties in Easter.

They requested privacy on behalf of the Princess, stating ‘The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.’

However, conspiracy theories around her disappearance from public life spread like wildfire online. The American press clamoured to get paparazzi pictures in January, and she was photographed in a car with her mother Carole Middleton. On Mother’s Day, Kensington Palace posted a portrait of Kate with her three children, George, 10, Charlotte, 8 and Louis, 5, taken by Prince William. However, major pictures agencies later issued a kill order on the picture when it emerged that it had been edited. Kate later released a statement acknowledging the photo editing.

Most recently, Kate and William were spotted shopping at Windsor Farm Shop, and a video taken by an onlooker went viral. The conspiracy theories continued though, with royal obsessives even claiming the couple captured on camera were ‘lookalikes’ Heidi Agan and Simon Watkinson. Agan debunked such rumours in an interview with Grazia.
For weeks, rumours have swirled that a major royal announcement was on the way. Now, the public are sharing their well wishes for Kate and hopes for a speedy recovery, as do we.