Support pours in for Princess of Wales after shocking cancer reveal
LONDON >> Support poured in from around the world Saturday for Kate, the Princess of Wales, after she revealed in a candid video message that she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer following major abdominal surgery.
The princess's poignant video, in which she spoke about the “huge shock” and “incredibly tough couple of months” for her family after her diagnosis, came after weeks of frenzied speculation on social media about her health and wellbeing.
“This of, course, came as a huge shock and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” Kate said in the video, which was recorded Wednesday in Windsor.
“It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be OK,” she said, referring to her three young children.
Kate, 42, did not say what type of cancer was discovered after her surgery. She said she is now in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy and is “getting stronger every day.”
Her condition was initially thought to be noncancerous, until post-surgery tests revealed the diagnosis, she said.
The announcement will at least partly tamp down the intense and sometimes fantastical speculation and conspiracy theories about Kate's condition that have multiplied on social media since Kensington Palace announced in mid-January that she had been hospitalized for unspecified abdominal surgery.
Hashtags including “WeLoveYouCatherine” and “GetWellSoonCatherine” were trending Friday on X, formerly Twitter, while political leaders, celebrities and cancer survivors sent messages of support.
“She has been subjected to 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 posted 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 also is 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.”
Many of Saturday's newspaper front pages featured sympathetic headlines, with The Sun proclaiming: “Kate, you are not alone.” The Daily Telegraph featured an opinion piece that said: “Sickening online trolls reveling in Princess's misery ought to 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 touched 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 decision to disclose her health condition was also praised for encouraging the public to think more about their own health and get worrying symptoms checked.