Princess Kate has disclosed her cancer diagnosis in her first official video post-surgery in January, following her abdominal surgery.
As confirmed in a video statement on March 22, the Princess of Wales “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’m so grateful,” her message begins. “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 preventive 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,” the Princess continued. “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’s appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I’m going to be OK… As I’ve 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 spirit. 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’ll understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.”
The announcement comes after weeks of intense conjecture and anxiety over the Princess’s location. Kate Middleton had been hospitalized for abdominal surgery at Kensington Palace for over two months. The condition, which was not cancerous at the time, was not confirmed. Kate last participated in an official public engagement on December 25, and is expected to return to royal duties after Easter, which falls on March 31.
Kate Middleton’s sickness is major news for the royal family, especially because her father-in-law, King Charles III, has also been diagnosed with cancer. Although Buckingham Palace has not disclosed the kind or stage of the disease, the King has been receiving regular treatments and has been told to put off engagements with the public.
