Kate Middleton’s emotional address to the public in which she revealed her cancer diagnosis was released on a carefully selected date for the sake of her children.
The diagnosis came as a “huge shock” to the Princess of Wales and her family, as doctors had expected her condition to be “non-cancerous” until she underwent abdominal surgery in January and “cancer was found to be present,” she said in the clip.
At the time, Kensington Palace confirmed the princess was undergoing abdominal surgery and was not expected to appear in public again until after Easter.
Kate Middleton’s emotional address to the public in which she revealed her cancer diagnosis was released on a carefully selected date for the sake of her children. BBC Studios
The truth of Kate’s health scare was a secret she and her closest family members kept quiet for some three months — until today.
And there was good reason for that.
Her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, have been in school but the term just came to an end for Easter break.
It’s believed Kate chose this time to confirm her diagnosis to the world so that the children’s learning would not be disrupted and they could be shielded from the immediate fallout.
“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,” Kate said in Friday’s video.
The diagnosis came as a “huge shock” to the Princess of Wales and her family, as doctors had expected her condition to be “non-cancerous” until she underwent abdominal surgery in January and “cancer was found to be present.” GC Images
At the time, Kensington Palace confirmed the princess was undergoing abdominal surgery and was not expected to appear in public again until after Easter. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
“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.”
It is now believed she will not return to work at Easter, as was previously announced by the palace when her condition was believed to be non-cancerous. She is not expected to participate in the family’s traditional royal Easter service next week.
The latest on Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis:
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment,” she said in her heartfelt address.
“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.”
The truth of Kate’s health scare was a secret she and her closest family members kept quiet for some three months — until today. Getty Images
Her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, have been in school but the term just came to an end for Easter break. Samir Hussein/WireImage
Kate’s announcement comes as her father-in-law King Charles III is also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
A statement released by Buckingham Palace on Feb. 5 confirmed that His Majesty “has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties” as he maintains a “schedule of regular treatments.”
On Thursday, Queen Camilla said Charles is “doing very well” as she met well-wishers during a royal visit to Belfast.