Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, discloses cancer diagnosis undergoing chemotherapy.
Here’s what’s known so far.
On Friday afternoon, Kate released a video update on her health, recorded on Wednesday, broadcast two days later.
It came after weeks of speculation about her whereabouts and health since hospitalization in January.
She explained her diagnosis was a “huge shock”.
Kate didn’t reveal what type of cancer she had been diagnosed with, while she also asked for space and privacy.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February, less than 18 months after succeeding his mother Queen Elizabeth following her death in September 2022.
On January 21, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, said she had malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Kate, 42, had what was described as abdominal surgery on January 16.
At the time, officials said her condition wasn’t cancerous but did not specify what kind of surgery she had.
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.
Despite the palace explaining the timeline of the princess’s recovery, Kate’s health and location triggered huge speculation.
Kate made her first public appearance on March 4 when she was spotted in Windsor.
The speculation continued to grow and amid a social media frenzy, Kate and William published an official photograph of her and her three children on Mother’s Day – celebrated on March 10 in the UK.
A day later Kate admitted that she had edited the photograph, and apologised.
While it’s rare to find cancer after surgery for a noncancerous problem, it does happen in about 4 percent of such surgeries.
The palace statement said no details would be provided about her cancer or her treatment, other than that she started it in late February.
Cancer is rare in young adults. But in developed countries, rates of some cancers are rising among younger adults. Kate is 42.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who have been estranged from William and Kate since their move to California in 2020, wished the princess well.
Kate’s brother James Middleton also offered his support.
King Charles said he was very proud of Kate for speaking about the cancer.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Kate “has the love and support of the whole country”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also wished Kate a speedy recovery.
US President Joe Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden “join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate”.
