Catherine, Princess of Wales on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Princess Catherine, affectionately known to many as Kate Middleton, has always been a beacon of grace and poise in her royal duties. Recently, she made a deeply personal announcement about her health. She revealed that she had been dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
This personal revelation follows a two-month hiatus from public duties after her surgery. Kensington Palace had previously announced her hospitalization for planned surgery on January 17, 2024. The surgery was deemed successful, with an expected hospital stay of up to two weeks before home recovery.
Catherine, Princess of Wales during The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 on July 14, 2019 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
The announcement of the cancer diagnosis was made by Princess Catherine alone, without Prince William at her side. This signifies a notable shift from conventional royal protocols. Choosing to connect directly with the public, Catherine bypassed conventional press releases.
She instead shared a heartfelt video message on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram page on March 22, 2024. In this video, she candidly spoke about the trials her family had faced in recent months and praised the exemplary care provided by her medical team.
Catherine, Princess of Wales at the Design Museum on November 15, 2023 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
In her statement, she acknowledged the unwavering support she has received from William, saying, “Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance.” The Prince has been by her side since when she started experiencing health issues earlier in the year.
Catherine underwent significant abdominal surgery in London this past January, initially believed to be for a benign condition. Subsequent tests, however, detected cancer, necessitating a preventative chemotherapy regimen, which she has commenced. According to Catherine, the diagnosis came as a profound shock to both her and Prince William.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales on September 7, 2022 in Bracknell, England | Source: Getty Images
Catherine expressed her wish for normalcy for her children and the confidentiality of her medical details. The Palace committed to providing updates only upon significant developments. In her message, Catherine also extended her empathy to others battling cancer, encouraging them to maintain hope.Despite Catherine highlighting the comfort and reassurance she found in having William by her side, his absence during her announcement sparked public speculation. However, insiders close to the royal family were quick to dispel any conspiracy theories, explaining that Catherine chose to make the announcement alone as it pertained to her health.According to one insider, William is immensely proud of his wife’s courage, particularly following her surgery in January. His primary focus has been on ensuring Catherine’s privacy during her recovery and protecting their children from the public interest in the news.
Catherine felt it was essential to deliver the message alone and at the right time. She and William needed time to digest the news and her recovery from surgery required a significant amount of time. Additionally, they needed a suitable period to discuss the situation with their children. These factors were the driving force behind her decision.
