Catherine, the Princess of Wales, revealed on Friday that she has been battling cancer, a condition that was detected after an abdominal surgery in January. In a heartfelt video message, she shared that she was commencing preventative chemotherapy and expressed her disbelief at the diagnosis.
Messages of love and support poured in from family, politicians, and various prominent figures for the 42-year-old princess, who has three children with Prince William, the future king.
According to a statement from Buckingham Palace, King Charles commended his daughter-in-law for her bravery in addressing the situation openly.
Charles disclosed that he too received a cancer diagnosis earlier this year during treatment for an enlarged prostate, and he is preparing for therapy. The specific type of cancer was not disclosed.
Kate underwent abdominal surgery in London and shared that although cancer was not initially suspected by doctors, it was uncovered post-operation. She did not elaborate on the type or stage of the cancer.
The Royal Family Update
Amidst concerns for Princess Kate's health, the king has undergone treatment at the same hospital where she had surgery. In a statement, he expressed his close bond with his daughter-in-law in recent weeks.
Support has poured in from all corners, with Kate's brother, James Middleton, sharing a heartfelt message and a childhood photo of the siblings. "As a family, we will climb this one with you too," he wrote.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also extended his well wishes, emphasizing the princess's bravery in the face of intense scrutiny and media attention. He called for privacy and support during her recovery.
Recovery and Speculation
Princess Kate had not been seen in public since December and is expected to be in recovery until at least Easter following abdominal surgery. The royal family has asked for understanding and privacy during this time.
Speculation and conspiracy theories have circulated online, but without verified information, it's important to respect Kate's privacy and focus on her well-being.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed her condolences, which were shared just before the White House press briefing on Friday.
"It is tragic and devastating news, and we sincerely hope for the Duchess of Cambridge's full recovery," Jean-Pierre stated during the briefing. "We want to respect their privacy, especially during this time. They have young children and a family, so privacy is important. I have no information to share about the president reaching out. We were just informed about this as I was heading out."
London mayor Sadiq Khan also took to social media following the announcement: "On behalf of Londoners, I send my best wishes to the Princess of Wales as she undergoes treatment. My thoughts are with her and her family. Cancer affects many of us, and her courage in sharing her diagnosis will help raise awareness and inspire others to get screened."
British broadcaster Nigel Farage, a former politician, described the news as "terrible." "The media who criticized her for the recent photo should feel ashamed," he posted on social media.
The scandal surrounding the princess' whereabouts escalated when a doctored image of Kate and her three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, surfaced on Mother's Day in Britain. Speculation ran rampant, prompting Kate to acknowledge in a social media post that she had altered the image. Despite mounting pressure, Kensington Palace refused to unveil the original, unedited version.
In a video unveiled on Friday, Kate expressed gratitude to those who stood by her and revealed that she and William have been "making every effort to handle this situation privately for the well-being of our young family." She also extended her thoughts to individuals whose lives have been impacted by cancer.
