Kate Middleton’s health status has been a mystery for months since her surgery in January. Updates from Kensington Palace have been limited, with only Prince William sharing minor details during royal duties.
Last Friday, Kate confirmed her cancer diagnosis, although specific details remain private. The family spent Easter together at Anmer Hall, and Queen Camilla, who has experience dealing with media scrutiny, broke her silence on Kate’s condition.
Kate’s announcement shocked the world when it was shared on social media channels a week before Easter.
Kate Middleton – cancer diagnosis announcement video
Kate Middleton shares heartfelt announcement about her cancer diagnosis in a video from Windsor’s garden bench. Despite the seriousness of the news, Kate assures her supporters, much like she does with her children, that she will be alright.
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 ok.
“We now need some time, space, and privacy”
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.
Kate Middleton was stunned by the news, which was also a big surprise for her family. It’s hard to imagine how Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis reacted to the news. Their children, aged ten, eight, and five, are Prince William and Kate Middleton’s main concern and always will be.
With the Princess of Wales starting chemotherapy, they want to shield their children as much as possible. That’s why the timing of the cancer announcement video, released at 6 pm GMT, was intentional.
Exactly when George, Charlotte, and Louis were notified about their mother’s cancer diagnosis is unclear.
How Kate Middleton informed her children about her cancer
However, according to the Sunday Times, the cancer announcement video was released just a few hours after their children’s school had closed so that they wouldn’t immediately face questions about it from their friends. At that point, they had gotten the news.
“George is ten now and can’t be shielded from any of this now,” a palace source told the Times. “Once it’s at the school gate and in the school playground, he won’t be able to avoid it.”
So, how do you tell your children that you have cancer? One person, King Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold, argues that Prince William and Kate Middleton explained it differently to them.
Speaking with The Post, Harrold, who worked for Charles for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, said that the couple most likely “sugarcoated” her health issues when they broke the news to Prince Louis.
“I’m sure it was a very difficult and very different conversation between children,” Grant Harrold told the NY Post. “For instance, for Louis, I’m sure the conversation was more sugarcoated than it was with George and Charlotte.”
The former butler added, “The older kids probably understood more, so the talk was likely more direct but still positive, which is really important.”
“That’s why when you see the photo of Kate with her three kids now, it’s so moving. Having that conversation as a mother is a big deal, and you can imagine Charlotte and George will be good sources of support for her.”
