William is so proud of Kate ..she’s shown such courage
» In awe as wife endures chemo fight She wrote ‘every word’ of message
PRINCE William is “extremely proud” of the strength shown by wife Kate since her cancer diagnosis, sources say.
The British prince, 41, is said to be in awe of 42-year-old Kate and the way she has coped since being admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery in January.
It has also emerged the Princess wrote the statement about her cancer diagnosis herself.
She is said to have insisted on a video message because she wanted to tell people her news “as compassionately as possible”.
In the two-minute address to the nation, Kate surprised those closest to her with her decision to announce she has started a course of preventive chemotherapy.
Sources say she felt a written statement would be “too jarring”.
Friends have also revealed Kate composed the announcement about her cancer treatment
with no input from her advisers. It was part of a meticulous two-week plan to let the nation know about her health problems.
In the video, the Princess of Wales said the discovery was a “huge shock” but that she is “going to be OK” as she underwent rounds of preventative chemo. She added: “I am well and getting stronger every day.”
A friend said: “It was all her – she wrote every word of it.”
Kate is believed to have gone public with her cancer diagnosis to help protect her children from being questioned at school.
It is understood the royal couple and their children will spend their four-week Easter school break at Anmer Hall, their home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, before William resumes public duties from mid-april.
An aide said: “The family just want to go away for Easter, spend time together, the five of them, close off from the world and move on.” A royal source added: “William is extremely proud of his wife for the courage and strength she has shown, not just this week, but since her surgery in January.
“He has always done all he can to protect his family and now more than ever he’s focused on ensuring his wife has the privacy she needs to fully recover and that his children are shielded from the understandable interest in the news that has been shared.”
Meanwhile, insiders say Kate and her children have the staunch support of the Middleton family as she battles cancer. Her mother Carole, 69, and father Michael, 74, are understood to have been on hand to care for her since she went into hospital at the turn of the year.
They have also been supportive during the tough months since.
Carole is described as being “indispensable” and is playing a “crucial” role in caring for her grandchildren, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
It is understood she will continue to provide hands-on support to Kate and William.
She was spotted driving Kate on the school run earlier this month.
Kate is also said to have turned to her father-in-law, the King, at a private lunch as they both battle cancer.
The pair are said to have bonded during heart-to-heart chats when they were both in hospital for surgery in January.
Sources said King Charles, 75, “toddled” down the corridor to see his daughter-in
Now more than ever he’s focused on ensuring his wife has the privacy she needs ROYAL INSIDER
The family just want to go away for Easter.. close off from the world and move on
ON ANMER HALL TRIP BY WILLIAM, KATE & THEIR CHILDREN
law at the London Clinic, near Harley Street in Central London. Charles is said to be determined to put on a show of “unity and stability” by leading the Royal Family to church on Easter Sunday.
Insiders said Charles, who is fighting the disease after being diagnosed in February, is hoping to make the journey to St George’s Chapel in Windsor next weekend.
A royal source said: “The King has been keeping in touch with the Princess of Wales from the moment she was admitted to hospital in January and throughout her current cancer treatment.
“He is utterly determined to put on a show of unity for his family and reassure the public and wider world that the monarchy is stable, despite the current tumultuous period.”
Yesterday it also emerged the
LEADING THE WAY Camilla
King had recorded an Easter message of hope, to be broadcast on Maundy Thursday at Worcester Cathedral.
Queen Camilla is due to lead the Firm at the Royal Maundy Service, to give the Royal Maundy gifts on behalf of her husband.
Kate has been praised for her approach to the diagnosis, particularly for the explanation she gave to her children.
Louise Dalton, from the Department of Psychiatry at Oxford University, said: “Adults understandably want to protect children from difficult or emotionally painful situations and often underestimate how much even very young children notice and understand about what is happening within the family.
“Research shows that children want to know about what is happening when an adult they love is ill and that effective
communication with children about illness is associated with better psychological functioning.
Research consistently shows that when children are given an explanation of what is happening in their family this leads to better family functioning and mental health outcomes for everyone”
In a statement released on Saturday, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’ message.
“They are extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy.”
Kate also said in her video: “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”