By SYLVIA HUI (Associated Press)
LONDON (AP) — On Saturday, support came in from all over the world for Kate, the Princess of Wales. This comes after she shared a personal video revealing that she is receiving chemotherapy for cancer after having major abdominal surgery.
The princess’s emotional video, where she talked about the “huge shock” and the “really tough couple of months” for her family following her diagnosis, followed weeks of intense speculation on social media about her health.
In the video, which was recorded in Windsor on Wednesday, Kate said, “This, of course, was a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to deal with this privately for the sake of our young family.”
“It took some time for us to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is right for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK,” she added, talking about her three young children.
Kate, who is 42, did not mention the type of cancer found after her surgery. She said she is now in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy, and she is “getting stronger every day.”
She said that initially, her condition was thought to be noncancerous, but post-surgery tests revealed the actual diagnosis.
The announcement will at least partly decrease the intense and sometimes unrealistic speculation and conspiracy theories about Kate’s condition that have spread on social media since Kensington Palace announced in mid-January that she had been hospitalized for unspecified abdominal surgery.
Hashtags such as “WeLoveYouCatherine” and “GetWellSoonCatherine” were popular on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday. Additionally, political leaders, celebrities, and cancer survivors sent supportive messages.
“She has been under intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. “She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement.”
U.S. President Joe Biden shared on social media, saying he and first lady Jill Biden “join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.”
King Charles III, who is also undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer, said in a statement that he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.” Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who have been estranged from the royal family since their move to California in 2020, said they wished “health and healing for Kate and the family.”
Up until Friday, little information was available about Kate’s condition, and her absence from public view for months sparked a lot of speculation about the “missing” future queen.
Officials had only said that Kate’s surgery in January was successful and she would be away from public duties until April.
Feelings of mistrust about the royals grew earlier this month after Kate admitted to altering an official photo released to mark Mother’s Day in the U.K.
The picture, meant to calm and reassure the public, caused an angry reaction after The Associated Press and other news agencies withdrew the image due to concerns it was altered.
Even a video released last week by The Sun and TMZ showing Kate and William shopping near their home did not change the negative coverage, as some people refused to believe the video actually showed Kate.
In contrast, many of Saturday’s newspaper front pages had sympathetic headlines, with The Sun declaring: 'Kate, you are not alone.' The Daily Telegraph featured an opinion piece that said: 'Sickening online trolls enjoying the Princess’s misery should be ashamed.' The news also featured prominently in international newspapers from Italy to France.
'I understand why she was keeping it a secret, but I am glad everyone knows now so they can not make assumptions,' said Madeleine Pullitzer, an American student in Paris.
Well-wishers left flowers Saturday outside Windsor Castle, and many royal fans visiting Windsor and Kensington Palace said they were moved by Kate’s personal message about her health struggles.
'Your heart just goes out for her and her family, you know? I guess we all feel for her,' said Natalie Richardson, who was visiting from New Zealand. It’s 'such a big thing to face for anyone.'
Like Charles before her, Kate’s choice to reveal her health condition was also praised for getting the public to think more about their own health and get worrying symptoms checked.
Kate directly addressed everyone affected by cancer in her video, saying: “Please do not lose faith or hope.”
'This announcement is a stark and shocking reminder that cancer is no respecter of age or social status,' said oncologist and cancer awareness campaigner Pat Price. 'A cancer diagnosis is always deeply concerning, but the fact that the princess is so young and very much in the prime of her life makes this news all the more upsetting and unsettling.'
It was not immediately clear when Kate would return to public life.
Kate and William were not expected to join other royals for the traditional Easter Sunday service in Windsor.
'The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team,' a Kensington Palace spokesperson said. 'She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.'
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