CATHERINE, the Princess of Wales, is receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
She released a video statement detailing her condition, and thanking people for their support.
“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.”
In January, when Kensington Palace announced the princess was admitted to hospital, they said the surgery had been successful and she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
Because she wanted to keep her personal medical information private, the palace said it would only give updates “when there is significant new information to share”, and the princess was looking forward to reinstating as many engagements as possible in due course.
The princess was born in January 1982, in the maternity ward of the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, and grew up in Upper Bucklebury.
She met her husband, Prince William, when they were both studying at St Andrew’s University, and they married in 2011 at Westminster Abbey.
They have three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
In recent years, she has made several official appearances in the area, including visiting the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre in Silver Street, Reading in November 2022.
Last autumn, she visited the Vsi Razom Community Hub in Bracknell.
And in 2022, Reading Museum curated a special exhibition which included a a portrait of Kate, taken by photographer Paolo Roversi. The artwork was lent by the National Portrait Gallery as part of its Coming Home programme.
The portrait celebrates Kate’s life today as well as her roots in the local area.
