PRINCESS Kate tonight revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer in a brave video message.
The royal, 42, said the diagnosis had come as a “huge shock” – but vowed: “I am well and getting stronger every day”.
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Princess Kate is undergoing treatment for cancerCredit: AP
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She had attended the Christmas Day service at Sandringham with her familyCredit: Getty
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The Sun obtained footage of smiling Kate shopping with WilliamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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King Charles has praised his ‘beloved’ daughter-in-lawCredit: PA
Kate has remained absent from any official duties following major abdominal surgery in January.
Her diagnosis is the second cancer shock to hit the royal family in as many months after King Charles revealed he was also undergoing treatment.
More from Kate’s emotional message…
Read more on Princess Kate
He tonight praised Kate for her “courage” in a statement from Buckingham Palace.
The “proud” King also remains in close contact with his “beloved daughter-in-law” and that both he and Camilla will “continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’.”
Kate’s brother James Middleton also shared a touching picture and message to his sister after the shock diagnosis was revealed.
He wrote: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
Kate said she initially had no signs of cancer but post-op tests showed the disease had been “present”.
She has chosen not to reveal what type of cancer she has but said she is in the early stages of treatment.
Sitting on a bench at Windsor for the poignant clip, the royal thanked her husband Prince William for his support.
Her voice also cracked as she said she has broken the news to George, 10, Charlotte, 8, and five-year-old Louis.
The Princess of Wales added: “This of course came as a huge shock. William and I have been doing everything I can to process this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine this has taken time. It has taken time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
“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.
Princess Kate, 42, has cancer and says she’s been having chemo treatment but is now ‘getting stronger’ in video message
“As I have said to them, I am well and I’m 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.”
Kate said the family now needs “time, space and privacy” while she completes her treatment.
She will not be returning to public duties for the foreseeable future.
The princess added: “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 lives affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease in whatever form please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed Kate started a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February and is now on a “recovery pathway”.
The diagnosis was the reason William pulled out of an event last month for a “personal matter”.
The Palace was unable to say when chemotherapy treatment will end and said Kate had spoken to the King.
It also confirmed Prince William will continue to “balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year”.
He is expected to return to royal duties after the Easter school holidays.
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
MARCH 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
MARCH 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
MARCH 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
MARCH 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
The Palace spokesperson added: “The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family.
“Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period.
“Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and The Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected.
“The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.”
Kate’s abdominal procedure took place at the London Clinic on January 16, it was previously confirmed.
It was understood she would be absent from royal duties until after the Easter break.
Kate was last officially seen with her family at the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham.
Her absence has been plagued by vile conspiracy theories over her whereabouts in the weeks that followed the announcement.
On March 4, Kate was seen for the first time since her operation. as she rode in a car with mum Carole, 69.
That same week, she shared a sweet snap of herself with Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte for Mother’s Day.
But eagle-eyed royal fans were quick to spot flaws in the snap – before photo agencies ordered a “kill notice” on the pic.
This caused further vile conspiracy theories to spread – before Kate admitted on March 11 that she had “experimented with editing”.
She was spotted in the car with Prince William as they left Windsor Castle that afternoon.
Kate was later said to be “very sad” that the sweet photograph had triggered a global furore.
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Princess Kate’s statement in full
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James Middleton wished his sister well in an Instagram post
Then, on Saturday, royal fans spotted Princess Kate out and about near her home at Windsor.
On Monday, Kate seen in a video obtained by The Sun shopping with Prince William.
The diagnosis comes as three workers at The London Clinic are investigated over allegations they attempted to hack Kate’s medical records.
Bosses at the hospital have refused to confirm when they were first made aware of the allegation, whether anyone had been suspended, or if any private information was accessed.
How other royals have also been rocked by health battles this year
THE past few months have seen members of the royal family struck down by various health battles. Here is a rundown:
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen.
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer.
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week. JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment.
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day.
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”.
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer, but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties.FEB 18: The King appears in good spirits as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham.FEB 23: The King filmed crying and chuckling while opening some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers.
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health.
MARCH 4: Kate Middleton pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate.
The London Clinic’s chief executive Al Russell said in a statement: “Everyone at The London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.
“We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.
“We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.
“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
It’s time to show Kate more respect, blasts Sun’s Royal Editor
THE Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson says it’s time cruel trolls lay off Kate as he gives his insight into her shock cancer diagnosis.
It is sometimes hard to remember and understand that this is a family and they are going through very tough experiences at the moment.
I find it very interesting that she does speak about how they’ve taken time, they’ve needed time, to process this information and also tell their three children George, Charlotte and Louis, which would be an incredibly difficult conversation.
A lot of people who have poked fun at Kate purely to gain hits online, such as Kim Kardashian, need to have a hard look at themselves and apologise for their behaviour.
People have been asking where’s Kate? Well, she’s been coping with this cancer diagnosis and having to tell her young family.
Much of the abuse has also come from so-called ‘Sussex Squad’ members on Twitter who are fans of Harry and Meghan. This has been a shameful episode and people should show the Princess of Wales more respect.
We know the Princess of Wales went into hospital for abdominal surgery in January. That surgery was successful and it was non-cancerous. However, subsequent tests have found cancer and at the end of February she embarked on the start of preventive chemotherapy.
They’ve taken time to process this and Kate has announced this to the world today.
They’ve chosen today because it is the last day of school for George, Charlotte and Louis and it means that they can now huddle together as a family for the next couple of weeks away from all the drama and really come together and deal with this cancer diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis that Kate has said she has found shocking, but it’s also a cancer diagnosis that many people around the world will listen to and will have sympathy for and empathy for because there are many families that are also going through this kind of situation and having to break the news to their children, as in this case.
Kate has been living her life in the spotlight for many, many years and there has been some very nasty stuff posted online. Lots of bullying, we would suggest, about Kate and about why she has been missing for the last couple of weeks.
We understand that wasn’t a motivation for her coming out today to make the statement but it’s obviously something that has dominated the front pages and dominated social media online. Questions about what has happened to Kate. Now she has answered it and said that while everyone has been discussing where she is, that actually she has been coping with the diagnosis of cancer and digesting this with her family.
She has told the rest of the Royal Family. The King – who also has his own diagnosis of cancer and is also undergoing treatment – has been made aware. The Royal Family will be circling the wagons.
I think she will be getting a huge amount of support from family and friends and she has spoken about how William, obviously, has shown her so much support.
They will now be off for a couple of weeks with the three children for Easter. William will return after the Easter holidays. And The Princess of Wales may well return.
She says she is full of hope, she says that she hopes that she will get better, she’s told the kids that she will be OK.
So we may see The Princess of Wales in coming months attending engagements but we really do need to give her time as she has asked to see how the preventive chemotherapy gets on.
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Kate has told her children she is undergoing treatment for cancerCredit: Getty
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She was forced to take time off following her abdominal surgeryCredit: Getty
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Kate thanked supportive William in her video messageCredit: AP
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She also addressed others with cancer and told them ‘you are not alone’Credit: PA
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