Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, revealed that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.
This is what is known so far:
What did Kate say?
On Friday afternoon, Kate issued a video update regarding her health. The recorded message was broadcast on Wednesday two days later.
This came after weeks of speculation about her whereabouts and health since she was admitted to hospital in January.
Kate said: 'In January, I had major abdominal surgery in London and it was thought at the time that my condition was not cancerous.
“The surgery was successful. However, post-operative tests showed the presence of cancer. My medical team therefore advised me to undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of this treatment.
She explained that her diagnosis was a “huge shock.”
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It took me some time to recover from major surgery so I could start my treatment. But most importantly, we took time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that was right for them,” Kate added. And to reassure them that I will be fine,” she said, referring to her three children, who have children: Prince William, the eldest son of King Charles and heir to the British throne.
Prince George is 10 years old; Princess Charlotte, 8; And Prince Louis, 5.
Kate did not reveal the type of cancer she was diagnosed with, while also asking for space and privacy.
“We hope you understand that as a family we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” she explained.
He added: “My work has always brought me a deep sense of happiness and I look forward to returning when I am able to, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”
The cancer diagnosis is the latest in a series of health challenges the royal family has had to face.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February, less than 18 months after succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth, after her death in September 2022. He has since retreated from public engagements. Buckingham Palace did not say at what stage the cancer was discovered.
On January 21, Sarah, Duchess of York, Prince Andrew's ex-wife, said she had malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
What type of surgery did Kate have on January 16?
Kate, 42, underwent what was described as abdominal surgery on January 16. The news was not announced until the next day when Kensington Palace revealed that the princess was recovering from a planned surgery.
At the time, officials said her condition was not cancerous, but they did not specify what type of surgery she had, saying only that it was successful. They also made clear that she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter, which this year falls on March 31.
Kate was released from the London Clinic, a private hospital located near Regent's Park in the heart of the UK capital, on January 29. After her discharge, she returned to Windsor, which is located west of London, to continue her recovery. .
Charles was released from the same hospital on the same day as Kate.
What happened next after leaving the hospital on January 29?
Although the palace explained the timeline for the princess's recovery, Kate's health and location sparked significant speculation. Kate made her first public appearance on March 4 when she was spotted in Windsor. She was sitting in the front passenger seat of a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.
How about a Mother's Day photo on March 10?
Speculation continued to grow, and amid the social media frenzy, Kate and William posted an official photo of herself and their three children on Mother's Day – which is celebrated on March 10 in the UK.
But instead of ending the speculation, it fueled it further, after news outlets backed away from it because it appeared to have been manipulated. A day later, Kate admitted that she had edited the photo and apologized.
Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion caused by the family photo we shared yesterday. I hope everyone who celebrates Mother's Day is very happy. C
-The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
She was later photographed with her husband in a car leaving Windsor Castle.
Royal journalist and commentator Afua Hagan told Al Jazeera: “First of all, why do you think that in this current climate you can release a manipulated image and get away with it?
“But what really baffles me is that Kate didn’t do this alone. She has a team around her,” Hagan said.
“There is also an issue with your PR and communications team, which has let you down badly. “Your team has thrown you under the bus, Princess of Wales, and you are to blame,” she added.
Is it unusual to discover cancer after surgery?
Although it's rare for cancer to be discovered after surgery for a noncancerous problem, it occurs in about 4 percent of such surgeries, said Yuman Fong, a surgeon at City of Hope Cancer Center in Southern California.
“The 4 percent represents someone who goes to the operating room for what is thought to be a benign disease such as a procedure to remove their gallbladder or ovarian cysts,” Fong said.
What type of treatment is Kate undergoing?
The palace statement said that no details would be provided about her cancer or treatment, other than that she began treatment in late February.
After successful surgery, chemotherapy is often used to help kill any stray cancer cells and prevent the cancer from coming back. Treatments have evolved, and when chemotherapy is used now, it is sometimes for shorter periods or in lower doses than before.
“Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet, and sometimes hair loss, are side effects of chemotherapy,” said Monica Avila, a physician at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. “But there are medications to improve these side effects. Cold hats that cool the scalp can prevent hair loss,” Avila said.
“It can take a patient from a few weeks to a month or two to recover from those effects,” Avila added. She added that the numbness and tingling may take longer to go away.
Is it unusual to discover cancer in someone so young?
Cancer is rare in young people. But in developed countries, rates of some cancers are higher among younger adults. Kate is 42 years old.
“We hate for young people to get cancer, but at the same time, they are the ones who recover better,” Fung said.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, “around 393,000 people in the UK receive news that they have cancer” each year. According to the centre, someone is diagnosed with cancer in the UK at least every 90 seconds.
About 167,000 people die annually from cancer in the United Kingdom, an average of “460 people every day.”
What was the reaction after Kate's announcement?
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, who have been separated from William and Kate since moving to California in 2020, wished the princess well.
“We wish health and recovery to Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so in privacy and peace,” they said in a statement.
Kate's brother, James Middleton, also offered his support, with a photo of them as children.
“Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this mountain with you too ⛰️❤️”
– James Middleton on Instagram 🤍 pic.twitter.com/UN35dGbi0F
– Princess of Wales News (@HRHPWales) March 22, 2024
King Charles said he was very proud of Kate for speaking out about cancer.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said Charles was “very proud of Catherine for having the courage to speak out as she did” and had “remained in close contact with his beloved daughter-in-law over the past weeks”, after they spent time together in hospital. He said.
The spokesman added that Charles and his wife Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the entire family during this difficult time.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Kate “has the love and support of the entire country.”
The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the entire country. pic.twitter.com/IFX51Wm5Q3
– Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) March 22, 2024
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also wished Kate a speedy recovery.
My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, her children and the entire Royal Family after bravely sharing the news of her cancer diagnosis.
On behalf of Canadians, I am sending my support as she undergoes treatment. We all wish her a speedy recovery
-Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 22, 2024
In a post on X, US President Joe Biden said that he and First Lady Jill Biden “join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.”
Jill and I join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate. https://t.co/jtLp8Uo23d
-President Biden (@POTUS) March 23, 2024
“Infuriatingly humble web fan. Writer. Alcohol geek. Passionate explorer. Evil problem solver. Incurable zombie expert.”
