Geoffrey Branger with AFP / Photo credit: ANDREW COWIE / COLORSPORT / DPPI VIA AFP
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10:15 a.m., March 23, 2024
Princess Kate, wife of William, the heir to the British throne, announced in a video on Friday that she had cancer and had started chemotherapy. After her abdominal operation in mid-January, “tests revealed the presence of cancer,” she explained, without specifying the nature of the disease. “I am now at the start of treatment” of chemotherapy, added the Princess of Wales. King Charles III, who acceded to the throne in September 2022, was also diagnosed with cancer in early February.
A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024
“We need time”
Princess Kate assured that she was “fine” and asked for respect for her private life. “It took us a while to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis,” her three children with Prince William, she said. “As I told them, I am doing well, and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal,” she added, saying she hopes the public will understand that “we need time, space and privacy while I continue my treatment.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan wished on Friday the “healing” of Princess Kate, suffering from cancer which she has just revealed. “We wish health and healing to Kate and the family, and hope that they can recover (in a) private and peaceful manner,” they said in a statement sent on behalf of the couple, who live in California .
“We are extremely sad to hear this news,” said the White House spokesperson, wishing him a “full recovery”. “This is terrible news,” commented Karine Jean-Pierre, also calling for people to “respect the privacy” of the Princess of Wales and her family.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also wished Princess Kate a “full and speedy” recovery. “I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and I look forward to seeing her back when she is ready,” the head of the conservative government said in a statement. Emmanuel Macron praised Friday the “strength” and “resilience” of Princess Kate who revealed that she was suffering from cancer, wishing her “a complete recovery.” “In this difficult period that you are going through, Brigitte and I wish you a full recovery. Your strength and resilience inspire us all,” the French president wrote on X.