Kate’s cancer battle live updates: Princess of Wales reveals she is undergoing chemotherapy
The Princess of Wales is undergoing treatment for cancer, she has announced in a personal video message, but told the world: “I am going to be ok.”
The Princess is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy and has said she is focused on making a “full recovery”.
The cancer was identified during tests after her abdominal surgery on January 16, and she began treatment in late February.
Since then, she and the Prince have been focusing on sharing the news with their three young children and allowing the family to process it in private.
The Princess has now chosen to share the diagnosis in a video message filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, in which she thanked the public for their support and shared her “huge shock” at the news.
In recent weeks, she and the Prince have been subjected to worldwide conspiracy theories about her health and whereabouts.
She said the Prince of Wales had been a “great source of comfort and reassurance” as she has come to terms with her diagnosis.
The couple chose to announce it after Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis broke up for their school Easter holidays and could be sheltered from the public reaction at home.
The Princess said it had taken her and the Prince “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”.
In her message she said: “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 Princess received her diagnosis in late February. It is the reason the Prince of Wales missed the memorial for his godfather on Feb 27.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVE BLOG:
How chemotherapy helps prevent cancer from spreading
James Wheeler
The Princess of Wales has announced that she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and has been undergoing chemotherapy. Here, experts explain more about the treatment and how it works:
Real reason why William missed godfather's memorial
James Wheeler
When the Prince of Wales unexpectedly pulled out of attending a memorial service for his godfather King Constantine of Greece last month, there was widespread speculation it was connected to the death of Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor.
It has now emerged that the unspecified “personal reason” given for his absence from St George’s Chapel in Windsor on February 27 was that his wife, the Princess of Wales, had recently received a cancer diagnosis.
Read more below:
Kate's voice cracked as she shared her diagnosis with the world
James Wheeler
It is not the news any mother should have to deliver to her young children, let alone a nation.
But the Princess of Wales, who has faced more than anyone could reasonably be expected to bear over the past few months, did so with a brave face and a voice that, nonetheless, broke just a little.
Read more below:
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French president Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte wished Princess Kate a full recovery, saying her "strength and resilience" inspires us all.
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Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada says his thoughts are with the Royal Family.
"On behalf of Canadians, I’m sending my support as she undergoes treatment. We’re all wishing her a swift recovery," he said.
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Former UK PM Boris Johnson has wished Catherine, Princess of Wales "all possible strength and sending good wishes to her and her family for a full and rapid recovery".
Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis: World reacts
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Various public figures from around the world have also released statements after the Princess of Wales’ diagnosis.
You can read those here:
Harry and Meghan wish Kate 'health and healing'
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Prince Harry and Meghan have just released a short statement, saying:
"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."
Kate's brother: Family has 'climbed many mountains together'
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Kate’s younger brother, James Middleton, says the family has “climbed many mountains together”.
“As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
Doctor on Kate's ‘preventative treatment’
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Kate said in her video announcement that it had taken her time to recover from the surgery before starting “preventative” treatment, which she said was in the early stages.
Dr Shivan Sivakumar, associate professor in oncology at the University of Birmingham, told the Associated Press it’s unclear what the princess meant by “preventative” chemotherapy but he presumed that it’s what is known as “adjuvant” chemotherapy in the medical profession.
“This is chemotherapy after an operation to prevent recurrence,” he said. “This is to attempt to destroy any circulating cancer cells.”
Full transcript of Kate’s video announcement
James Wheeler
“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.
“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.”
King Charles 'so proud of Catherine for her courage'
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King Charles is "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did" and remains in the "closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law", Buckingham Palace said following the Princess of Wales's cancer treatment.
Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty is "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did".
Following their time in hospital together, HM has "remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks."
Timeline from the princess’ surgery to today
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The series of events that led up to the Princess’s announcement and every statement about the Princess’s health.
PM Luxon: 'I know Kiwis across the world will be wishing her well in he recovery'
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White House reacts to Princess' diagnosis
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US White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre opened her briefing with reporters moments after news of Kate undergoing cancer treatment broke.
“We just heard the terrible news,” Jean-Pierre said.
She called for respecting the princess’ privacy.
Jean-Pierre said she didn’t have anything to share on conversations between President Joe Biden and the royal family, and suggested that she found out about the new the same way the rest of the public did.
“We are incredibly sad to hear of the news,” Jean-Pierre said.
“We are taking this in, this terrible news, as all of you are.”
Princess Kate: 'I am getting stronger every day'
James Wheeler
In the video released today, Kate asked for “time, space and privacy” while she is treated for an unspecified type of cancer.
“I am well,” she said. “I am getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal,” she said.
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
James Wheeler
- January 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.
- January 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery.
- January 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.
- January 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week.
- January 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.
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The Mirror has praised Kate as a "selfless" and "hands-on mother who puts her children first - even in the face of a crisis", saying she and William tried to keep their day-to-day lives normal and even waited in publicly announcing the diagnosis so it could coincide with the end of the school term.
While The Sun hailed Kate as "brave" and a "doting mum" after waiting for the right time to tell her three children about her diagnosis.
UK Opposition leader sends best wishes
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Keir Starmer, the opposition Labour leader in the UK has said that on behalf of his party he wanted to send his “very best wishes to her royal highness at this distressing time”.
In his statement, Starmer said:
"On behalf of the whole Labour party, I want to send my very best wishes to Her Royal Highness at this distressing time. Our thoughts are with the whole royal family as they come to terms with the news and as they support The Princess of Wales through her treatment and recovery.
"Any cancer diagnosis is shocking. But I can only imagine the added stress of receiving that news amid the lurid speculation we’ve seen in recent weeks.
"Their royal highnesses are entitled to privacy and, like any parents, will have waited to choose the right moment to tell their children.
"I am heartened by the Princess of Wales’ optimistic tone and her message of faith and hope. Her royal highness will be in our thoughts and prayers as she progresses through her treatment with the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too."
Kate's cancer fight: What we know
James Wheeler
Kensington Palace says the Princess of Wales started a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February.
The palace has not disclosed details of the cancer, and says it will not be sharing any further private medical information on her health.
It reiterates that the princess “has a right to medical privacy, as we all do”.
The palace says Catherine is now on a "recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy".
Asked when the chemotherapy will end, the palace says this is subject to medical advice and it will not be commenting further.
'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis'
In the video message, which you can watch in the previous post, Catherine says it has taken time to "explain everything" to her three children.
She says: "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."
James Wheeler
James Wheeler
The BBC reports that separately to the video message, Kensington Palace has said The Princess is now on a "recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy".
Asked when the chemotherapy will end, the Palace says this is subject to medical advice and it will not be commenting further, the outlet said.
When Prince William found out
James Wheeler
Prince William found out his wife Kate had cancer just moments before he was meant to attend King Constantine of Greece's memorial service - and pulled out with just moments to go, it has been revealed.
The Prince was a late withdrawal for the February 27 event, sparking speculation about the time.
"Personal reasons" was the explanation provided at the time.
Kate 'brave', has 'love and support of whole nation' - PM
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UK paper Daily Mail has called The Princess "brave" as she shared her "shock" diagnosis in a voice "breaking with emotion".
The paper highlighted The Princess' message to fellow cancer sufferers around the world: "Do not lose faith. You are not alone".
It also shared words from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said the Princess of Wales has "the love and support of the whole country".
Sunak says Kate has "shown tremendous bravery with her statement today".
Sunak says the princess has shown "tremendous bravery" and his thoughts are with the Royal Family, "in particular her three children at this difficult time".
In a statement shared on X, Sunak says she "has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery".
"In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media," Sunak adds.
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Addressing the public in the video, filmed by BBC Studios, the Princess 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.”
The Princess is now said to be on a “recovery pathway”. Kensington Palace is not sharing the type of cancer, or the stage at which it was found, citing the Princess’s right to medical privacy.
Speaking on the video, which was released by the Palace directly for the public to see on its social media, the Princess said of the news: “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.”
In a renewed plea for privacy, and a message of hope for others who are also facing cancer treatment, the Princess added: “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.”
The Princess has been away from public duties since Christmas Day, when she was seen walking to Sandringham church with her family.
She was admitted to the London Clinic on Jan 16, with the Palace issuing a statement the next day to confirm that she would be in hospital for up to two weeks and recovering in private until after Easter.
At the time, it was specified that the condition was non-cancerous and that the operation had been a success.
It was only in post-operative tests that cancer was identified. She began preventative chemotherapy in late February.
A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: “The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy.”
He added that the Princess had wanted to share this information “when she and the Prince felt it was right for them as a family”.
The family will not be attending church at Easter. The Princess will return to official duties when she has clearance from her medical team. The Prince will be back to a schedule of public engagements in mid-April, after the Easter holiday.
A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: “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.
“The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties, as he has done since the start of the year.”
Asked for further details about the condition or operation, the spokesman said: “We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.”
The Princess’s cancer diagnosis follows that of the King. His diagnosis was also made in post-operative tests, and confirmed in a public statement on Feb 6. He had had a procedure for the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
The King and Queen are aware of the Princess’s diagnosis, and that she was releasing a message to the public.