Kate Middleton confirmed that she has been diagnosed with cancer. The Princess of Wales released an emotional videotaped segment on Friday in which she explained the details of her discovery, diagnosis, and the treatment plan for the disease.
Kate Middleton Had ‘Major Abdominal Surgery’ In January
Kate Middleton underwent a “major abdominal surgery” back in January. The 42-year-old royal mother confirmed that the “surgery was successful” in her videotaped statement.
However, that was not the only news that apparently emerged from that operation. Additional tests showed that “cancer had been present.”
Middleton Was Advised To Undergo Chemotherapy
Middleton confirmed that her medical team worked with her to come up with an action plan. They advised her to “undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy.”
Kate confirmed that she is currently “now in the early stages of that treatment.”
Cancer Diagnosis ‘Came As A Huge Shock’ For Kate And William
The mother of three went on to explain that the news of her cancer diagnosis “came as a huge shock.” She added that she and Prince William have worked very hard to “process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
Kate and William have three kids. Prince George is 10, Princess Charlotte is 8, and Prince Louis will turn 6 years old next month.
Kate Thanked William For Being ‘Great Source Of Comfort And Reassurance’
In her video message, Princess Kate made sure that she thanked her husband for his support during her time of distress. She said in her video that having William by her side was “a great source of comfort and reassurance.”
Kate And William Will Not Attend Easter Service Together This Year
Many expected to see Kate and William along with their children attend Easter service as they traditionally do each year. The public hoped to be able to see the family in person enjoying the service alongside them.
However, the palace has confirmed that will not take place this year. According to Murphy, the family is not expected to attend Easter service.
Details, Specific Type Of Cancer Not Disclosed By Royal Family Or Palace
The type of cancer that Kate was diagnosed with back in January has not yet been disclosed. The royal family has not mentioned it nor has the palace.
The Kensington Palace spokesperson did confirm on Friday that Kate commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February.
King Charles’s Cancer Diagnosis Went Public Last Month
The news of Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis comes a little more than one month after the news of another family member shared his cancer diagnosis as well. King Charles III was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer.
Prince Harry opened up briefly about the news in an interview with Good Morning America. Harry mentioned that he quickly made plans to visit his father in person.
Royal Contributor Claims Timing Of Announcement Was Likely To Protect Children
Victoria Murphy, the ABC News royal contributor, claimed that Kate’s decision to announce her diagnosis publicly on Friday was likely a measure taken to protect their children. Each of the kids attend Lambrook School.
Lambrook School is a private school that is located near the family’s Windsor home in England.
Kate And William Can Now Keep Their Kids ‘In A Bubble With Them’
Murphy explained that school for the three children is now on a break since Friday was the last day before school let out for the Easter holiday. They are now able to be taken “away from their school environment” as the news about their mother makes headlines around the world.
Murphy added that Kate and William are essentially able to keep their three children “in a bubble with them and really protect them from the outside world” as the news spreads. As the “reaction hits the rest of the world” and “while people are talking about it,” at least the family of five will be able to stick close together.
Prince William Will Return To Royal Engagements After Easter
According to ABC News, Prince William is scheduled to return to his royal engagements and other related duties after the Easter holiday is over.
He is sure to have a full plate as the royal family heads into a new season.
Princess Kate Must Be Cleared By Medical Team Before Resuming Official Duties
ABC News also confirmed that there has not been a return date for Kate Middleton confirmed by the palace yet. A statement was issued confirming that she will “return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team.”
The statement added that Kate “is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.”
Princess Kate, Prince William First Met While Attending College
William and Kate reportedly first met while studying in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews in 2001. They started out as friends until their relationship started to flourish.
They both apparently started to share an apartment with two other mutual friends. Their relationship became more and more serious as time passed by.
Kate And William’s Relationship Went Public During Switzerland Ski Trip
The couple started making headlines around the world in 2003 as they were frequently spotted together. Reports started to circulate that they were officially dating.
More attention was then paid to Kate Middleton as millions of people around the world wondered about her. Their relationship officially went public when the pair visited Switzerland in December of that year on a ski trip.
Kate Appeared With Royal Family At Prince William’s Graduation In 2006
Kate made headlines again with one of her first major public appearances with the royal family in 2006 at Prince William’s graduation ceremony. Prince William was graduating from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
She wore a black dress, red jacket, knee-high boots along with a large black hat that was designed by Philip Treacy. Years later, she wore the same hat for her second Remembrance Sunday. She wore the same hat in 2017 and in 2023.
Kate And William Broke Up In April 2007, Were Both ‘Defining’ Themselves
William opened up about his relationship with Kate during their engagement interview in 2010. He shocked a lot of people when he mentioned that they broke up for a brief period in April 2007.
William started that they were “both very young” and “at university” at the time. He added that they were “both sort of defining” themselves “and being different characters.”
Kate Felt That Their Breakup Made Her ‘A Stronger Person’
Kate also discussed the breakup during the same interview. She admitted that she “wasn’t very happy about it” at the time.
However, looking back on it, she admitted that the breakup made her “a stronger person.” She was able to find things out about herself that she did not realize. According to Kate, she “valued” that time apart for herself.
Kate Reportedly ‘Didn’t Want To Rush Anything’, Reunion Confirmed In June 2007
Royal reporter Katie Nicholl referenced the emotional reunion of Kate and William in her book Kate: The Future Queen. She stated that “Kate didn’t want to rush anything” as she had “been badly hurt and told William she needed some time.”
Kate reportedly dressed up as a “sexy” nurse when invited to a costume party by William, showing up in “fishnet tights and a short dress.” Their reunion was later confirmed.
Kate And William Reunion Confirmed At Princess Diana Anniversary Concert
The reunion of Kate and William was confirmed in July 2007 during a special event that was undoubtedly close to Prince William’s heart. It was the “Concert for Diana,” which was organized by Prince Harry and Prince William.
The concert was designed to honor the 10th anniversary of the death of their moth, Princess Diana.
William Proposed To Kate During Romantic Getaway To Kenya
William reportedly dropped down to one knee to ask for Kate’s hand in marriage during a romantic getaway in October 2010 to Kenya. The couple stayed in a cabin hut while visiting a wildlife reserve that was nearly 10,500 feet above sea level.
William later stated that they had “a little private time away together with some friends.” During that getaway, he “just decided that it was the right time.”
William Said Proposal Was Reflection Of His ‘Romantic Side’
William admitted that they had already been discussing marriage “for a while” so it was not a “massively big surprise” when he popped the question. However, Kate reflected on the proposal as being “very romantic.”
William stated that it “just felt really right to ask in Africa.” The Prince of Wales stated that he had “done a little bit of planning of sorts to share [his] romantic side.”
Kate And William Appeared For Photo Call To Announce Engagement
Kate and William decided to formally announce their engagement during a photo call in November of 2010. The photo call was done at London’s St. James’s Palace.
They also decided to discuss their engagement during a televised joint interview later the same time with ITV’s Tom Bradby. That marked the couple’s first of many televised joint interviews.
Kate Performed Her First Royal Duty During Royal Visit To Wales
Kate completed her very first duty as a future member of the royal family while accompanying William on a visit to Wales on February 10, 2011. The couple assisted in the launching of the new Hereford Endeavour lifeboat.
Kate even had the opportunity to participate in the ritual of breaking a champagne bottle on the boat for good luck.
Kate And William Were Married At Westminster Abbey In April 2011
Kate and William became husband and wife on April 29, 2011. That was the date when Kate Middleton officially became “Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.”
Her Westminster Abbey wedding to Prince William made international headlines. Prince William had another milestone achieved earlier that same week when he became known as the Duke of Cambridge.
Prince Harry ‘Jumped On A Plane’ To Visit King Charles III Regarding Diagnosis
Prince Harry confirmed that he “jumped on a plane” and went to see his father as soon as he could. He also expressed the love that he has for his family.
Harry added that being able to “get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him” was something he was “grateful” for doing.
Prince Harry Said He Was ‘Sure’ Father’s Illness Could Reunite Family
Prince Harry was asked if he thought that King Charles’ illness would have an impact that possibly reunited him with his own family. He replied, “Yeah, I’m sure.”
He then referenced the “strength of the family unit coming together” that he noticed among the families of Invictus athletes. He added that he thought “any illness, any sickness, brings families together.” The mere thought made him “very happy.”
