Princess of Wales, 42, bravely announces she is battling disease and undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' - but reassures nation 'I am going to be ok' in highly emotional and unprecedented video message
The Princess of Wales has announced tonight that she has been diagnosed with cancer aged 42 and is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy.
In a deeply emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.
It came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home.
Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, she said: '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 so much to us both.'
Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.
It is understood that the King – who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself – and the Queen have both been informed of the news.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Princess of Wales has 'the love and support of the whole country' as her cancer battle was revealed this evening.
At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They have confirmed again tonight that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.
This evening's announcement will send shockwaves around the world and came after weeks of speculation - and wild conspiracy theories - about her health.
It also creates a fresh crisis for the British Royal Family at a time where King Charles is also battling cancer. In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.
The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.
It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.
Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.
However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.
'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said. 'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'
It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts – although that has been upsetting - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.
In her video statement the Princess, dressed casually in a stripped Breton top and jeans, said: '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.
'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.'
Even amidst her own personal anguish, there was a message for fellow cancer sufferers: '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.'
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