Kate Middleton is spending quality time with her husband, Prince William, and three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, at their country home, Anmer Hall, following the news of her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales revealed her diagnosis in a video posted to the couple’s social media channels over a week ago. It was filmed in the Windsor Gardens, and since then, people worldwide have supported her.
While Kensington Palace has been very strict about releasing news on Kate Middleton’s health following her abdominal surgery in January, Kate took to the camera this time, telling the world herself. However, according to a royal source, Kate had to make the announcement short – after receiving a threat from an unknown person.
On Friday, March 22, Kate Middleton put all cards on the table. In an emotional video published on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ social media accounts, the 42-year-old mother of three revealed to the world that she is in the early stages of cancer treatment.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful,” Kate began in the video.
Kate Middleton – cancer diagnosis
The Princess of Wales explained that at the time she underwent the abdominal surgery, it was thought that her condition was non-cancerous, and the surgery was successful. However, when undergoing tests after the operation, doctors found that cancer had been present.
Kate Middleton continued, “My medical team, therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment. This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be ok. As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body, and spirits.”
The Princess of Wales continued praising her husband, Prince William, saying it is a “great source of comfort and reassurance” having him by her side. Further, Kate asked the public for privacy moving forward.
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.”
Kate Middleton ended the emotional video by saying that she is also thinking of every other person affected by cancer.
“For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone,” the princess said.
Social media conspiracies claim Kate’s cancer diagnosis video announcement was edited
The many controversial conspiracy theories — with some asking whether Kate was even alive — finally could be laid to rest. However, some wanted to believe something was still up and did their thorough investigation about her cancer announcement video, claiming it was AI. One royal expert, Chris Ship, royal editor at ITV News, decided to speak out about it, saying it wasn’t edited.
In his opinion. Kate Middleton decided to share the news through a video to make it “personal.
“It’s a moment she chose to do on video, which is very different from doing it in a written statement. What can we read into that?” ITV News host Charlene White asked Ship about it, per the NY Post.
“If you look back to how the King revealed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, it was in a statement from Buckingham Palace. Kate has done it, I am told, in a video form because she wanted to do it in the most personal way possible,” Ship replied.
“Yes, of course, it helps to silence all the conspiracy theorists as well, but she wanted to do the video message and it was a very moving message, too. And she wanted to make that very personal statement herself.”
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
The video of Kate Middleton announcing her cancer diagnosis was filmed in the gardens of Windsor with the help of BBC. While her speech was very emotional, there were several other details people most likely missed.
Kate Middleton – hidden details in cancer diagnosis announcement video
For example, daffodils were in bloom in the background, and that specific flower has long been associated with cancer patients and survivors.
As per US Magazine, many patients have used the daffodil as a “hopeful symbol” during their cancer treatments, and every year, Daffodil Day celebrates patients and survivors. Over the years, Prince William and Kate Middleton have also been spotted wearing daffodil pins in solidarity.
Meanwhile, daffodils have also been proven to stop the spread of the disease. A 2018 research paper was published in the journal Structure, where Belgian scientists found that the daffodil’s natural extract of hemanthamine can help cells resist cell death.
But the daffodil wasn’t the only significant detail in Kate’s video. As in most other cases, her body language gave insight into the Princess of Wales’s feelings.
In an interview with PageSix, renowned body language expert Judi James said that Kate Midleton that Kate Middleton radiated “an ongoing strength” despite being “obviously” frail.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
While the princess looked “pale and rather down,” she also delivered “one of the bravest solo speeches of any royal in history.”
“The fact she sits alone is a testament to her strength and courage. Despite her obvious frailty, there are many signs of ongoing strength, determination, and firmness in her non-verbal signals,” Judy James told PageSix.
Kate Middleton “hasn’t lost her sense of humor,” body language expert says
“And it appears that the mother-of-three hasn’t lost her sense of humor. One eyebrow is raised in an expression of some humor,” James continued, adding that Kate seemed very serious when asking for “time, space, and privacy to recovery.”
“Her lips purse and pucker to show she means [that].”
In the last few months, conspiracy theories surrounding Kate and William’s troubled marriage have been on the internet. Meanwhile, there was also speculation about William having an affair with Rose Hanbury; however, nothing has ever been confirmed.
Judi James also addressed the marriage question, saying that one special gesture gave some insight into William and Kate’s relationship.
The body language expert stated that the princess flashed a “faint smile of affection” when mentioning her husband as “a great source of comfort and reassurance.”
According to the Sunday Times, Prince William and Kate Middleton agreed to release the cancer announcement video just a few hours after their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis’ school closed for the three-week-long April break so that they wouldn’t immediately face questions about it from their friends.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
It seems like a very reasonable reason. However, there might be something else in play as to why it was released on that specific Friday — and it has to do with a stressful situation.
Kate Middleton’s video was rushed by the Palace after diagnosis leaked, source says
According to the Daily Mail, a “well-placed” source said that Keisngotn Palace was contacted about Kate Middleton’s diagnosis. It left them shocked, and they were left with no other option but to hurry to get ahead of the story, making sure to be the one breaking it.
Prince William and his wife were “forced to reveal’ her cancer diagnosis, as her medical records were threatened to be leaked.
The insider didn’t state whether the leak came from the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales underwent her abdominal surgery in January, or from somewhere else.
Meanwhile, a source tells Page Six that the rumors about a leak aren’t true, and royal fans are left with more questions than answers.
Kate’s revelation of her cancer diagnosis seems to have had a significant effect on raising awareness, which could make a massive difference in the long run.
As reported by the Mirror, after the Princess of Wales opened up about her cancer diagnosis, the number of people visiting NHS websites related to cancer checks skyrocketed.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The British tabloid reported that in the 24 hours after Kate’s cancer diagnosis announcement, there were 2,840 visits to the NHS page about cancer.
“Talking about cancer saves lives”
That’s almost five times the 600 visits in the same period the week before. Moreover, over the weekend, more than 100,000 visited the Macmillan Cancer Support website.
“The Princess of Wales bravely speaking out about her diagnosis will help others do the same. Thanks to this, we have seen a spike in people visiting vital information on our site about signs and symptoms. Talking about cancer saves lives if it encourages people to come forward sooner if things aren’t right,” NHS England cancer director Professor Peter Johnson told the Mirror.
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, added, “In sharing her news, the Princess of Wales has raised awareness… and will be helping to encourage others who have concerns to visit their GP and seek support.”