©Reuters. The front pages of British newspapers are displayed in a supermarket, all carrying the headline that Catherine, Princess of Wales has revealed that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests carried out following abdominal surgery in January revealed
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By James Davey, Hannah Ellison and Will Russell
LONDON (Reuters) -Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, and her husband, Prince William, have been “hugely touched” by the messages of support they have received since she announced her cancer diagnosis, a Kensington Palace spokeswoman said on Saturday.
Kate said on Friday she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests following her major abdominal surgery in January revealed she had cancer.
The 42-year-old wife of heir to the throne Prince William called the cancer discovery a “huge shock”. The news comes as a new blow to the health of the British royal family: King Charles is also being treated for cancer.
Kate’s statement via video message, filmed at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, triggered an outpouring of support from supporters.
“The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’s message,” the Kensington Palace spokesperson said in a statement .
“They are extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support and are grateful for your understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”
Kate’s announcement on Friday dominated the front pages of British newspapers on Saturday, with messages of support combined with criticism of those who had speculated about her health in recent weeks.
The public also showed their support.
“Seeing the extraordinary dignity that Kate has shown and her attempt to keep the royal family together, I hope that now what the media will do is give her and her family the privacy and respect that they deserve,” the lawyer said Simon Davis, 64 years old. , he said outside the grounds of Kensington Palace.
“It’s good that he said what’s happening because I think it helps a lot of people who go through this experience,” said Sarah Macdonald-Brown, a 50-year-old gallery owner.
Tourist Karen Ferguson, 42, also showed her admiration for the princess, who is still popularly known by her maiden name Kate Middleton.
“It’s great that she came out and made a public statement so people know she’s okay and what’s going on. And I think we’re all just sending well wishes, especially for her little kids.”
One of the most personal messages of support came from Kate’s brother, James Middleton.
He posted a childhood photo of him and his sister on Instagram and wrote, “Over the years we have climbed many mountains together. As a family we will climb this one with you too.”
THE FRONT PAGES
“KATE, YOU ARE NOT ALONE,” declared the front page of the Sun tabloid, saying she had received “a huge amount of love and support”. Rival Daily Mirror chose “KATE REVEALS CANCER SHOCK” and shared her observations of how she had to explain the news to her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
The Daily Telegraph quoted the princess as saying: “Cancer has been a huge shock”, but noted that she said she would “be fine”.
The Daily Mail addressed people who speculated about his health, asking: “How are all those vile online trolls feeling now?”
Rumors and gossip on social media, in newspapers and even on some US talk shows had abounded following Kate’s surgery in January, even though her Kensington Palace office announced at the time that she would be absent from royal engagements during the convalescence.
Messages of support for Kate poured in on Friday, including from King Charles, Prince Harry, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and US President Joe Biden.
Sunak said Kate had “showed enormous courage” with her statement, adding that she had “been treated unfairly by some sections of the media around the world and on social media”.
Kate’s diagnosis was also big news internationally.
“Catherine’s cancer diagnosis puts Britain’s royals on even more uncertain ground,” wrote the New York Times, noting that serious health concerns for both the king and Kate are putting a strain on an already weakened monarchy.
Charles, who ascended the throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, underwent corrective surgery for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital as Kate in January.
Buckingham Palace then revealed in February that the 75-year-old king would have to undergo treatment for cancer, meaning he had to postpone his public royal duties.