Kate Middleton is receiving preventative chemotherapy for cancer. The Princess of Wales has released a video statement, stating that after undergoing successful abdominal surgery in December, tests later revealed that cancer was present and therefore she is now in the early stages of treatment.
Read Kate's full statement here:
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 okay.
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.
Watch Kate Middleton's video statement on her cancer diagnosis here:
Now, Google Trends for searches for 'Kate Middleton cancer' are increasing as the public seem to want to know more about the Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis. Searches for 'What type of cancer does Kate have?' are also rife.
What type of cancer does Kate have?
In her video statement, Kate did not reveal the type of cancer she has been diagnosed with, only stating that it was found after tests following her abdominal surgery. As with King Charles cancer diagnosis, the Palace will not release private medical information and thus will not reveal what type of cancer Kate has been diagnosed with.
The statement comes after weeks of speculation about Kate Middleton’s health. The Princess of Wales took medical leave from her public duties, with her last official public appearance on Christmas Day, in order to receive abdominal surgery. She was hospitalised at The London Clinic for 13 days for her surgery. When she was discharged on 29 January, Kensington Palace released a statement that she had left hospital and was ‘making good progress’ recovering at home and would return to public duties in Easter.
They requested privacy on behalf of the Princess, stating ‘The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.’
However, conspiracy theories around her disappearance from public life spread like wildfire online. The American press clamoured to get paparazzi pictures in January, and she was photographed in a car with her mother Carole Middleton. On Mother’s Day, Kensington Palace posted a portrait of Kate with her three children, George, 10, Charlotte, 8 and Louis, 5, taken by Prince William. However, major pictures agencies later issued a kill order on the picture when it emerged that it had been edited. Kate later released a statement acknowledging the photo editing.
Most recently, Kate and William were spotted shopping at Windsor Farm Shop, and a video taken by an onlooker went viral. The conspiracy theories continued though, with royal obsessives even claiming the couple captured on camera were ‘lookalikes’ Heidi Agan and Simon Watkinson. Agan debunked such rumours in an interview with Grazia.
For weeks, rumours have swirled that a major royal announcement was on the way. Now, the public are sharing their well wishes for Kate and hopes for a speedy recovery, as do we.