London – Kate, Britain's Princess of Wales, revealed on Friday that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.
In a video statement released on Friday, she said she underwent major abdominal surgery in London in January, saying her condition was initially thought to be non-cancerous.
Her statement said, “The surgery was successful. However, the tests conducted after the operation showed the presence of cancer. Therefore, my medical team advised me that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of this treatment.”
“This has of course been a huge shock, and William and I have done everything we can to address and manage this privately for the sake of our little family.”
Kensington Palace said it was confident she would make a full recovery, according to the BBC.
Kate later added in her speech: “I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits.” She requested space and privacy while completing her treatment. The type of cancer or at what stage it was discovered was not announced.
Buckingham Palace said King Charles III, her father-in-law, was “very proud of Catherine for having the courage to speak out as she did.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also issued a statement saying: “We wish health and recovery to Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so in privacy and peace.”
Kate remained in the hospital after surgery. At the time, there was no confirmation about what the surgery would be, with Kensington Palace saying Kate, 42, hoped the public would respect her “wish for her personal medical information to remain private.” The palace suggested at the time that Kate would not resume public duties until after Easter.
The princess has not been seen in public since Christmas Day 2023 when she was seen walking and attending a church service alongside the wider royal family, including her children and husband Prince William, heir to the British throne.
There has been online frenzy over her condition and whereabouts on social media since news of her surgery. The palace has been largely silent on the issue, at times adding fuel to the fire.
The mania reached its peak after a photo of Kate Middleton's ex was released on Mother's Day – March 10 in the UK. News agencies pulled the photo later that day, issued a so-called kill notice, and found it to be too heavily edited. Every detail of the photo was scrutinized, from Kate's hair to the children's clothing that looked mismatched, to the edge in the background that appeared distorted.
On March 11, Kensington Palace posted a statement from Kate on social media, saying she had edited the photo. “Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion caused by the family photo we shared yesterday. I hope everyone celebrating Mother's Day is very happy. C.”
Since then, photos and videos of what appeared to be Kate have appeared in British tabloids, further fueling conspiracies and conversations. Earlier this week, reports also emerged that a staff member at the hospital where Kate was being treated attempted to access her files without permission to do so.
King Charles III announced in early February that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed cancer and had begun treatment.
