Kate Middleton It is Prince William are “touched” by the kind messages the royal couple have received since the Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis.
In a statement to ET, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Prince and Princess are enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to their message. Your Royal Highness.”
The spokesperson continued: “They are extremely touched by the public’s warmth and support and grateful for their understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”
Kate, 42, made the stunning revelation on Friday that she is diagnosed with cancer. The princess said that when she underwent abdominal surgery earlier this year, her condition was thought to be non-cancerous. But tests after the operation “found that cancer was present”.
Kate hasn’t revealed what type of cancer she’s battling, only that she’s currently undergoing “preventive chemotherapy” and is “now in the early stages of that treatment.”
A source tells ET that Kate filmed her video announcement on March 20 and began receiving cancer treatment shortly after surgery in January. The royal couple had a hard time telling their children, the source explained, because they wanted to protect them as much as possible.
“Children process information in different ways. Their main concern was being able to explain this to children in a way that was reassuring and that they could process,” the source said.
Also on Friday, King Charles III shared his support for his daughter-in-law, saying through a spokesperson that Charles is “very proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking out as she did.” Kate and Charles were hospitalized at the same time earlier this year – Kate for her planned abdominal surgery and Her Majesty for a corrective procedure. The king is also battling cancer.
Following their time together in hospital, Charles has “remained in closer contact with his beloved daughter-in-law over the past few weeks, and both royals” will continue to offer their love and support to the entire family during this difficult time.
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