Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, described Prince William as “a great source of comfort and reassurance” as she comes to terms with being diagnosed with cancer.
The statement was a major sign of the warmth and affection in their marriage after conspiracy theories on social media spread unfounded speculation that they were in crisis.
In a calm and composed video message on Friday, the Princess of Wales brought home the devastating emotional reality of coming to terms with cancer when she described the struggle to tell her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
“This of course came as a huge shock,” Kate said. “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. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”
For around a month there have been frenzied conspiracy theories about Kate’s health and whereabouts, with many people suggest she was “missing.”
And some, including Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, turned to years old rumors about William and Kate’s marriage, which Kensington Palace denied as long ago as 2019.
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In reality, Kate appears to have been quietly coming to terms with being told she has cancer, with her husband by her side, and taking a prolonged period out from work.
The royal family has been beset by difficult health news this year, starting with the announcement on January 17 that Kate had undergone abdominal surgery the previous day.
Buckingham Palace then announced that King Charles III was having a procedure on an enlarged prostate before confirming in early February that doctors had picked up a second issue which was diagnosed as cancer. He has been undergoing regular treatment since.
Prince William initially took time off his own royal duties in order to help look after the couple’s children.
Since the end of February, social media has been rife with conspiracies theories about Kate’s health generating huge pressure for Kate to appear in public.
A Mother’s Day picture released on March 10 by Kensington Palace turned out to have been doctored by Kate, triggering new frenzied conspiracies alleging a variety of often contradictory palace cover-ups.
Jack Royston is Newsweek‘s chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek’s The Royals Facebook page.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.