Princess of Wales: ‘incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family’
In her statement, the Princess of Wales said that it “has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family” and that at the time she had surgery in January “it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous”.
She said: “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.”
Key events
King Charles: ‘proud’ Princess of Wales had ‘courage’ to speak as she did, and has ‘remained in closest contact’ with her
Caroline Davies
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson has said King Charles is “so proud of Catherine (the Princess of Wales) for her courage in speaking as she did”.
The statement said that after their time in hospital together, the king has “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks”.
It added that the king and queen “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time”.
Charles is also receiving treatment for an undisclosed cancer, which was announced on 5 February.
Andrew Gregory is the Guardian’s health editor
The head of the NHS in England has described the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis as a shock and praised her for speaking out publicly about the condition.
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “On behalf of the NHS, I’m really sorry to hear this shocking news.
“Our thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and the royal family, especially while her treatment continues. We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families.”
Pritchard added: “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 here.”
Heather Stewart has written this analysis piece for us, looking at how the series of health announcements from the royal family echoes 1992, when the late Queen Elizabeth II said that her family had had an “annus horribilis”. Here is an excerpt:
The past 12 months have surely been marked out as ranking among the most traumatic for the royal family in living memory.
A furore about the manipulation of a picture of Catherine with her children, which set social media aflame with outlandish conspiracy theories, followed weeks of speculation about the much-loved princess’s health. Catherine’s admission to hospital was announced in January, on the same day as King Charles III’s own diagnosis with an unspecified cancer.
The lack of detail about either’s condition, and the royal family’s silence during the ensuing weeks and then months, fed a sense that the public had not been told the whole story.
Charles had only recently led mourners at his mother’s funeral, and family tensions and troubles were evident even at the time. Prince Andrew did not wear military uniform as he walked behind his mother’s coffin, after having been stripped of his royal duties in the wake of claims of sexual abuse made in a US court case, which the prince has always denied.
Harry returned for the funeral of his beloved grandmother; but his presence only served to underline his semi-detached status. And Charles has barely had time to establish himself as reigning monarch, the post he had waited his life to occupy, before his own diagnosis forced him to reduce his public duties.
Read more here: Heather Stewart analysis – Royal family’s cancer diagnoses echo the ‘annus horribilis’
The news of the Princess of Wales announcing she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy comes at the same time that her father-in-law King Charles III is also receiving treatment for cancer. His diagnosis was announced on 5 February. At the time a statement from Buckingham Palace said:
During the king’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.
The announcement that Catherine was recovering from planned abdominal surgery was made on 17 January, the same day that it was announced Charles was to be treated for an enlarged prostate.
The Guardian’s health editor, Andrew Gregory, has written this explainer on what we know about the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis. He writes:
The Princess of Wales, 42, has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer. Kensington Palace said it would not be sharing any further medical information about the form or stage of cancer that was discovered.
In her personal message, the princess said her medical team advised that she should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is a treatment in which medicine is used to kill cancer cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy medicine but they all work in a similar way. They stop cancer cells reproducing, which prevents them from growing and spreading in the body.
Catherine said on Friday she is now “in the early stages” of the treatment. The Guardian understands that Catherine began a course of preventive chemotherapy in late February. She is still in the early stages, and the decision on when it might be completed will be subject to medical advice.
Read more of Andrew Gregory’s explainer here: What we know about the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis
Other political leaders in the UK to have commented on the announcement that the Princess of Wales is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer include the leaders of the Scottish National party, the Liberal Democrats, the Labour mayor of London and former prime minister Liz Truss.
The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, said he had “no doubt” that the Princess of Wales’s words will be “of comfort and support to others” facing a battle against cancer, posting to social media:
We all know the suffering and distress that a cancer diagnosis brings to individuals, their families and friends. I wish Kate well in her battle, and have no doubt that her words will be of comfort and support to others facing their own.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
On behalf of Londoners, I wish the Princess of Wales a swift recovery as she undergoes treatment. My thoughts are with her and her family. Cancer has an impact on so many of us and her bravery in sharing her diagnosis will help raise awareness and encourage others to get checked.
Former prime minister Liz Truss said “My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and her family at this very difficult time” and that “the entire country will be wishing her a full and speedy recovery.”
The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, described it as “sad news”, calling for Catherine and her family to be given “space and privacy at this difficult time”.
Keir Starmer sends ‘very best wishes’ to the princess
The opposition Labour leader in the UK has said that on behalf of his party he wanted to send his “very best wishes to her royal highness at this distressing time.”
He added “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.”
The Labour leader also criticised “lurid speculation” about the health of Catherine in recent weeks.
In his statement, Starmer said:
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.
Rishi Sunak calls for privacy for Princess of Wales and criticises ‘intense scrutiny’
The UK prime minister has said: “My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, Prince of Wales, the royal family and in particular her three children at this difficult time” and that she has “the love and support of the whole country”, while criticising what he said was the “intense scrutiny” and unfair treatment of her by “certain sections of the media around the world and on social media”.
Rishi Sunak said in a message posted to social media:
My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, Prince of Wales, the royal family and in particular her three children at this difficult time. 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.
Full statement by Princess of Wales announcing she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer
Here is the full text of the video statement given by the Princess of Wales announcing that she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, in which she appealed for others with cancer not to lose hope:
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.
Princess of Wales: ‘incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family’
In her statement, the Princess of Wales said that it “has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family” and that at the time she had surgery in January “it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous”.
She said: “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.”
Here is the video that has just been released by the Princess of Wales talking about her cancer diagnosis.
Princess of Wales receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer
Daniel Boffey
The Princess of Wales has disclosed that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the early stages of receiving chemotherapy treatment.
In a statement recorded at Windsor by the BBC, Catherine said her condition had been discovered after she had major abdominal surgery in January.
After weeks of speculation about her health, Catherine said she and her husband, Prince William, had needed time to explain the situation to their three children, George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.
“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,” she said. “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.”
The Princess of Wales, 42, had been admitted to the London Clinic on 16 January for major abdominal surgery. At the time, the palace refused to confirm what Catherine was being treated for, but said the condition was non-cancerous.
Catherine said it was only after the surgery that the cancer had been found.
Read more of Daniel Boffey’s report here: Princess of Wales receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer
Princess of Wales health announcement – what we know so far
The Princess of Wales has given a significant update about her health, announcing that she is receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. We will bring you reaction to the news.
