The Princess of Wales announced today that she has cancer. She has begun what she called a course of preventative chemotherapy. 

Princess Kate had major abdominal surgery in January. At the time it was announced that she would not resume her royal duties until after Easter. She had not been seen in public since Christmas until an outing with Prince William recently. 

Rumors were rampant and wild online. People were speculating on all kinds of things and it was nuts. Perhaps this will calm people down now. The good news is that her surgery was successful. At the time she went into the hospital, it was said that the surgery was not for cancer. Kate said that after her surgery, tests revealed there had been some cancer present in whatever was removed. Her doctors recommended she have preventative chemotherapy. 

By all indications, her surgery was a serious one. She remained in the hospital for 13 days. Such a long hospital stay is unusual these days. Then as she remained out of the spotlight, rumors began and, as I said, went wild. Suddenly everyone online was a medical expert. The rumors ranged from conspiracy theories that she was dead to claims that William was divorcing her. 

Kate is a class act. She graciously thanked the public for its support and well wishes. She spoke about the comfort she felt having William by her side throughout her illness. And, she talked about reassuring her young children, George, Charlotte, and Louis,  George, the oldest, is 10 years old. Kate said she told her children she was well.  

She ended her message with a request for privacy as she heals and receives chemotherapy. Her family was foremost in her message. She noted she had to fully recover from her surgery before she could begin chemotherapy. 

“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,” the princess said.

She ended her heartfelt message by saying that she was also keeping “all those whose lives have been affected by cancer” in her thoughts.

“For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone,” Kate concluded.

It seems to be a hopeful sign that her health issue was at first considered to be non-cancerous. It sounds like the cancer that was later found was a small amount so maybe it was caught early enough for her recovery to be complete. 

Well wishes came in immediately. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the princess had “the love and support of the whole country.” Sunak said Friday on social media that Kate had shown “tremendous bravery with her statement” and that his thoughts were with her and “in particular her three children.”

The White House spokesditz said that the update from Princess Kate was “terrible” and that the administration was “incredibly sad to hear of the news.” 

It was unusual for a royal family member to air a video of such a personal matter. She is the future queen and very well-liked. Cancer is always a devasting blow but it must have been especially difficult for Kate since she went into the surgery thinking there was no cancer present. Then, she found out there was. 

We still don't know what is going on with King Charles. He is being treated for cancer but that is all that has been announced. I wish them both well.