It is our duty to give them time
WE hear so much about duty and service when it comes to the working lives of the royals but in her supremely dignified video message about her cancer diagnosis, Catherine revealed something else about her work – it brings her “a deep sense of joy”.
And I believe her when she says she is looking forward to being back when she is fully recovered.
That day, however, may be months or more away. Until then we, as a society, owe her exactly what she has humbly requested: time, space and privacy.
She may be a Princess, she may be our future Queen, but first and foremost she is a wife and a mother to three children.
Cancer is a great leveller. It renders status, wealth and privilege irrelevant. But it cannot dictate how individuals deal with the diagnosis or who they choose to tell.
And it is the welfare of George, Charlotte and Louis that has been – and remains – at the heart of how news about Catherine’s illness has been handled.
The void created by the deliberate lack of information has proved damaging. Both the Princess and Prince William have taken an appalling amount of flak from the cesspit of social media with trolls peddling vicious, unfounded rumours on the web.
Those conspiracy theorists should hang their heads in shame.
We now know William and Catherine have been struggling to process this life-changing diagnosis themselves and work out how, what and when to tell their children.
Catherine made it clear her priority is to give her children reassurance that she will be OK and is getting stronger every day.
She may have to call on all her
COMMENT
JENNIE BOND
reserves of courage to stay strong for them as her chemotherapy continues.
But for now, with the announcement made and the Easter holidays under way, they can retreat, probably to their home in Norfolk, to try to restore some normality to their lives.
We should also spare a thought for another mother in this: Carole Middleton. Catherine may be 42 but she is still Carole’s little girl.
And to watch her go through this and withstand the bullying pressure to explain must have been desperately upsetting.
She has no doubt been a tower of strength and a comforting presence for the children but she, too, will need reassurance.
The Princess showed extraordinary composure and fortitude in her broadcast. It was brave to face the cameras as she did, looking pale and fragile.
It resonated deeply with other young mums – my own daughter among them – who feel keenly the pain that Catherine and her family are going through.
I have always respected the Prince and Princess of Wales for prioritising their children over their work while they are young and think they are right to do so.
The rest of us don’t have to live in a goldfish bowl of public scrutiny and judgement.
This young family deserves a break, now more than ever.
If we don’t give them the time, space and privacy they need at this critical point, then we need to take a long hard look at ourselves and ask: What on earth has gone wrong with us?
‘‘ Conspiracy theorists should hang their heads in shame
way. Kate showed Mila such compassion, care and support both during and post-treatment, so it’s been very emotional to see she is now facing her own health struggles.”
The mum-of-two added: “Cancer is a club that no-one wants to be in. We are very sad to hear she has joined the club but we are completely behind her and we wish her the very best.
“We have nothing but admiration for her to have been able to come out and publicly tell her story.”
Speaking at their home in Stenhousemuir, Scotland, Lynda, who also has 20-year-old daughter Jodi, described Kate as “a kind, caring soul”.
And she opened up about the about the effect the Princess’s announcement on Friday had on her as a mother.
Lynda said: “Cancer is such a massive thing and it has a ripple effect
on loved ones. We saw Kate speak about that in her address when she talked about William and her kids.
“We always got that impression from her when we met her, that she is a wife and mother first before any status. When we met her, she was incredibly engaging and down-toearth. You almost forgot who she was.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden led messages of support from around the world yesterday. The US leader lost son Beau to glioblastoma, a type of cancer, in 2018 aged 46.
He and wife Jill sent the Princess, who he has met twice during his term in office, a heartfelt message.
Mr Biden, 81, wrote: “Jill and I join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.”
The First Lady, 72, added: “You are brave and we love you.”
French president Emmanuel Macron, 46, offered words of support from himself and wife Brigitte, 70.
He wrote: “Your strength and resilience inspire us all.”
Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, 46, who met Kate at Buckingham Palace in September 2022, added: “I pay tribute to Your Royal Highness for the courage and indomitable spirit in the fight against a serious illness. I join all Ukrainians in wishing a full and speedy recovery.”
Names from the worlds of showbiz and sport also sent their best wishes, including actresses Joan Collins, 90, Catherine Zeta-Jones, 54, and Gwyneth Paltrow, 51, and TV presenter Kate Garraway, 56.
And well-wishers gathered outside Windsor Castle, close to Kate and William’s home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park, Berkshire.
Ann Anderson, 75, who had travelled from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, said: “My heart goes out to her, my heart goes out to William. Hasn’t he been through enough? He really doesn’t need any more.”
Business consultant Clementine Black, 49, said: “I really feel sorry for her children.
“They’ll be affected the most. Everyone has to remember that she’s a mother.”