The Princess of Wales decided to tell the world about her cancer diagnosis to protect her relationship with the public, a close friend has revealed.
Kate revealed on Friday that cancer had been found by doctors shortly after undergoing major abdominal surgery in January. The future Queen admitted the news came as a "huge shock" to her and Prince William, with Kate currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
The announcement was a huge shock for the whole world, who up until Friday had been speculating as to Kate's whereabouts as she had not been seen at an official royal engagement since Christmas Day, during the royals’ traditional Christmas ‘walk’. Dozens of conspiracy theories were posted online and this was, in part, why Kate decided to bravely tell the world of her diagnosis.
A close friend told the Sunday Times: “It allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly, have always been with her and her family and who don’t buy into the noise and gossip. It was all her, she wrote every word of it, it came together very quickly.” The friend said that Kate decided to speak out after realising that she may not be able to return to royal duties as soon as she would have hoped. Kensington Palace initially said after her planned surgery that she would not return to public royal duties until after Easter.
Prince William has been supporting his wife Kate over the past couple of months (Getty Images)The Princess of Wales also insisted that she record the announcement, instead of publishing a written statement. Sitting outside on a dark brown park bench, in front of a lush spring backdrop of daffodils, the mum-of-three described her diagnosis as "a huge shock" and confirmed she had, together with Prince William personally informed their three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight and Prince Louis, five of her diagnosis - but told them: "I am going to be ok".
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The close friend added: "A written statement, she felt, would be too jarring. It was about people seeing her, and her reassuring people that she was positive about it. Knowing it was news that was going to shock people, she wanted to do it as compassionately as possible. When things are really tough, that gratitude to the public for their support is their mantra.”
Kate’s type of cancer has not been disclosed, but in her statement the princess stressed she is “well and getting stronger every day”. Both she and the Prince of Wales are said to be “enormously touched” and “extremely moved” by the public’s warmth and support following the announcement.
The pair were spotted boarding a helicopter near their home in Windsor on Saturday, the first time they have been seen since the announcement. It is believed they were heading to their Anmer Hall home in Norfolk, where they are expected to spend the Easter school holidays with their children George, Charlotte and Louis.
A spokesman said: “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’ message. They are extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”
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