Catherine, Princess of Wales and wife of the future King of England, announced Friday that she is undergoing chemotherapy after cancer was discovered during a recent surgery.
Speculation has surrounded the Princess of Wales’ decision to step away from the public eye following abdominal surgery in January. At the time, Kensington Palace announced that the surgery was a planned procedure that would result in a 10 to 14-day hospitalization for recovery. The Palace also stated that Kate, 42, desired to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children and desired for her condition to remain private.
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As weeks and months passed, the public began to suspect that Kate’s condition was more severe and rumors began to run rampant about the possible causes for her absence. Amid public pressure and a security breach at the hospital where she underwent surgery, Kate released a video detailing her health issues to put rumors to rest.
In a clip released to social media on Friday, March 22, the princess revealed that it was initially thought that her condition was non-cancerous, but further tests after a successful surgery revealed that cancer had been present.
“My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy,” Catherine shared. “This, of course, came as a huge shock. William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
She added that they have attempted to protect their children and process the diagnosis privately, while reassuring their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, that she will be okay.
“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,” she concluded.
Watch Catherine’s full statement in the video below.