Kensington Palace has shared a deeply emotional message from Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealing her ongoing battle with cancer. In a heartfelt video recorded in Windsor, Kate disclosed that she has been undergoing chemotherapy since February, following a major abdominal surgery in January.
The surgery, initially believed to address a non-cancerous condition, later revealed the presence of cancer through post-operative tests. Kate, 42, expressed the shock and difficulty her family has faced over the past few months. She emphasized the importance of hope and faith for others battling the disease, stating, “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
In the video, Kate appeared composed and strong, sitting on a park bench with a backdrop of spring daffodils. She wore a blue and white striped jumper and jeans, and spoke candidly about informing her children—Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5—about her diagnosis. She reassured them, saying, “I am going to be ok.”
Kate praised her husband, Prince William, for his unwavering support, describing him as a great source of comfort. She also expressed gratitude for the public’s kindness and the excellent care provided by her medical team. “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,” she said.
The Princess of Wales began her chemotherapy treatment after a period of recovery from her surgery. She and Prince William have been managing the situation privately to protect their young family. The couple decided to share the news now, as their children have started their Easter holidays.
Kate thanked the public for their supportive messages since her hospital admission in January. She was discharged after 13 days and has been recuperating at the family home in Windsor. There is currently no set timeline for her return to royal duties, as she focuses on her recovery.
A spokesperson from Kensington Palace stated, “The Princess is in good spirits and focused on her recovery. She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her. She now needs time, space, and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.”
In her message, Kate reflected on the challenges her family has faced and the support they have received. “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,” she said.
She also addressed the need for privacy during this time, stating, “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.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla were informed of Kate’s condition and her public statement ahead of time. The King, who is also undergoing treatment for cancer, expressed his pride in Kate’s courage. Buckingham Palace released a statement saying, “His Majesty is so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did. Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks. Both Their Majesties will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also praised Kate’s bravery and called for respect for her privacy. Sunak stated, “She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today. 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.”
Kate’s video message, filmed by the BBC in the gardens of Windsor Castle, was written by the Princess herself. An insider revealed, “She wrote every word herself,” emphasizing the personal nature of her announcement.
As the Princess of Wales continues her treatment, the royal family and the public stand in solidarity with her, offering their support and understanding during this challenging time.
