For any family, this is too much

It is the Royal Family’s most traumatic chapter since Diana died 27 years ago.

For any family, this would be too much: a bereavement, an estrangement, a public humiliation, two cancer diagnoses. Whatever your view on the Windsors, they are enduring intolerable pressures.

When Charles became King in September 2022, he could not have foreseen that within 18 months, both he and his “beloved daughter-in-law” would be diagnosed with cancer.

When you are a member of a royal family, your health is never really your own – despite the right to a degree of privacy on such matters – because the future of a monarchy relies on the vigour and longevity of its upper ranks.

In Britain, Kate is consistently the most popular member of the family, polling suggests. Globally she has been the subject of fierce scrutiny since her student days. Any cancer diagnosis brings horror, and in recent weeks, as she battled with the “huge shock” and psychological impact, she has also had to endure loathsome speculation and conspiracy theories.

This makes her video statement admirable. Yes, she will receive the very best treatment. There will be no long waiting lists, like the ones that are killing thousands of other Brits around the country. But if you are the King or the Princess of Wales you are forced to confront the darkest moments in your life - and for Kate, support young children - in the glare of publicity.

Her announcement will raise awareness of the early symptoms of cancer – as happened when King Charles revealed his own diagnosis – and consequently she will help to save the lives of strangers.

Note, also, that both of them were diagnosed after being treated for something else, which shows how important it is to be aware of any changes to your health – and to then do something about it quickly. See nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/symptoms.

So Kate’s response is noble. We wish her a speedy and full recovery.