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Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton announces that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving treatment in London.
Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, whose recent whereabouts and hospitalization this year has caused speculation for months, announced Friday the “huge shock” that she has cancer and has started preventive chemotherapy treatment.
In a video posted on social media, the former Kate Middleton, 42, did not specify what kind of cancer has been diagnosed. She said she is doing well and “getting stronger every day,” but asked for continuing privacy while she is undergoing treatment.
The news is another jolt for the royal family since the announcement last month that King Charles III (Kate's father-in-law) was being treated for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered while undergoing a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate.
When Kensington Palace first announced in mid-January that the princess was hospitalized for scheduled but unspecified “abdominal surgery,” palace officials said she would be out of sight until Easter and that her ailment was believed to be noncancerous.
The surgery was successful, but further tests after the operation found that cancer had been detected, Kate said.
“This of course came as a huge shock, and (Prince) William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” she said.
She said it has taken some time to recover from surgery and then start the treatment. The couple also had to take time to explain the situation to their young children, Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and 5-year-old Prince Louis, “in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them I am going to be OK.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Mia Tindall attend Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church.
Samir Hussein/Getty Images
“I am well, and getting stronger every day, by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirit,” she said. She appeared to be sitting on a park bench, dressed in casual clothes, her hair in loose waves falling down her chest.
She said William has been a great source of comfort, as has the “love, support and kindness shown by so many of you.”
“We hope that you’ll understand that as a family we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” she concluded.
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