After months of wild gossip, Kate, Princess of Wales, has finally revealed she was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy. Prince William’s wife announced it herself in a video message on Friday, stressing her desire for privacy and describing the last two months as “incredibly tough for our entire family.”
It appears that the Royal House has finally chosen the path of transparency. In January, the Princess of Wales, 42, was suddenly hospitalized in a private London clinic for what was defined as a “planned abdominal surgery”, but the recovery time (ten days in the hospital then convalescing at home at least until Easter Sunday, next March 31st) suggested a serious problem. The Royal House however, declared that it was not cancer and the Princess in her video message confirms that so they thought “at the time”.
During the same week of Kate’s operation, King Charles III, her father-in-law, underwent prostate surgery and the following week announced that he was in treatment for cancer.
Neither the King nor the Princess of Wales has declared what kind of cancer they have. In her video message Kate asked the public and news media to respect her desire for privacy: “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.” The royal couple has three young children, George, Charlotte and Louis. Catherine’s announcement leaves the UK in shock. The Kingdom now has both the reigning monarch and the future Queen facing grave health problems.
Here is the transcription of the Princess’s message:
“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 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. 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 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”.
