Catherine, Princess of Wales, has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the early stages of chemotherapy.
In a personal video address, Kate said that the cancer was discovered after she underwent major abdominal surgery in January.
The Princess, 42, added that she is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy, requesting “space and privacy” while she completes her treatment.
Kate spoke of her “huge shock” at learning of the diagnosis, describing how her family have experienced an “incredibly tough couple of months”.
She was admitted to hospital for planned abdominal surgery on 16 January. At the time, her condition was thought to be non-cancerous – but tests after the successful operation found cancer, the type of which has not been disclosed.
She began a course of “preventative chemotherapy” in late February. Kate said she was in good spirits, describing herself as “well and getting stronger every day”.
Speaking in the video message recorded on Wednesday in Windsor, Kate said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.
“My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
“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. As you can imagine, this has taken time.”
King Charles – who is also being treated for cancer – and the Queen have been told about the state of the Princess’s health.
Buckingham Palace said Charles was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did” and remains in the “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wished Kate “health and healing” following her announcement.
In a statement, Prince Harry and Meghan said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
James Middleton, Kate’s brother, said the family will rally around her.
In an Instagram post, alongside a picture of the two as children, he wrote: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
Kate said it had “taken us time” to explain the news to her children George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five, “in a way that was appropriate for them”.
It is understood the video was released on the day William and Kate’s three children began their Easter school holidays, to take advantage of the break to shield them from coverage about their mother’s health.
Kate also spoke directly to other people dealing with cancer, telling them: “You are not alone”.
She said: “At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
It follows a period of intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about the whereabouts and health of the future Queen.
Rishi Sunak praised Kate’s “tremendous bravery” and said she had been “unfairly treated” in recent weeks. The Prime Minister called for her to be given the privacy to focus on her recovery and be with her family.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery.
“She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today. In recent weeks 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.
“When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.
“I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she’s ready.”
Sir Keir Starmer said Kate has “the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too” during this “distressing time”. The Labour leader criticised “lurid speculation” about her health, stressing her right to privacy as she receives treatment.
He said in a statement: “On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I want to send my very best wishes to Her Royal Highness at this distressing time.
“Our thoughts are with the whole Royal Family as they come to terms with the news and as they support The Princess of Wales through her treatment and recovery.
“Any cancer diagnosis is shocking. But I can only imagine the added stress of receiving that news amid the lurid speculation we’ve seen in recent weeks.
“Their Royal Highnesses are entitled to privacy and, like any parents, will have waited to choose the right moment to tell their children.
“I am heartened by The Princess of Wales’ optimistic tone and her message of faith and hope. Her Royal Highness will be in our thoughts and prayers as she progresses through her treatment with the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too.”
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill wished Kate a “speedy recovery”, as Scotland’s leader Humza Yousaf said he was “deeply saddened” by the news. Wales’s new First Minister Vaughan Gething added his best wishes.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said he had “no doubt” that her words would be “of comfort and support to others” facing a battle against cancer.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson said he is wishing the Princess of Wales “all possible strength” for “a full and rapid recovery”.
He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Wishing Catherine, The Princess of Wales all possible strength and sending good wishes to her and her family for a full and rapid recovery.”
The head of the NHS said she was sorry to hear the “shocking news” and praised Kate for her address.
NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said “speaking out about it is really brave” and could help other people in a similar situation.
Ms Pritchard said in a statement: “We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families.
“Speaking out about it is really brave and it can help others to get worrying signs and symptoms checked.
“If you’re worried about cancer, the NHS website has more information.”
Sarika Patel, chairwoman of trustees at Action for Children, of which the Princess of Wales is patron, said staff were sending their “very best wishes” to Kate.
She said: “The Princess of Wales is an amazing patron for Action for Children, always engaging with the children, young people and families she meets at our services.
“We want her to know we are thinking of her at this very challenging time and send her our love and support. Our staff join me in sending our very best wishes to her and her family and wish her a full recovery.”
Kate stepped back from public-facing duties after undergoing major abdominal surgery more than nine weeks ago.
On 17 January, the Palace announced that Kate was in hospital, having been admitted the day before for a “planned” operation which went “successfully”.
Kate’s stay at The London Clinic crossed over with that of her father-in-law, King Charles, who visited her before receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate prior to his own cancer diagnosis.
The exact nature of Kate’s condition was not revealed, with a statement stressing her wish that “personal medical information remains private.”
A spokesperson said that Kate was not expected to return to public duties until after Easter based on medical advice.
On 29 January, the Palace had announced that Kate had been discharged from The London Clinic after 13 nights, returning home to Windsor to continue her recovery. It had said she was making “good progress” but offered no further details on her condition.
Wild conspiracy theories about Kate’s whereabouts and health emerged on social media during her absence.
The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in a Mother’s Day photograph of Kate and her children, which led to the princess admitting to “editing” the image and apologising for any “confusion” caused.
It was the second time she had been pictured since her operation, with a picture released by TMZ on 4 March first showing her being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, in the Windsor area.
Hours after she apologised for manipulating the Mother’s Day photo, Kate was pictured sitting next to William in a chauffeur-driven car when he attended the Commonwealth Day service in London, while she was driven to a private appointment.
On Tuesday, The Sun released video footage showing Kate smiling alongside Prince William, reportedly taken at a farm shop in Windsor.
The newspaper said it was publishing the footage, which it said was taken on Saturday, in “a bid to bring an end to what the Palace has called the ‘madness of social media’.”
Kate’s statement in full
“I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.
“It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful.
“However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
“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.
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
“But, most importantly, 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.
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.
“As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.
“At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
