LIKE millions of Americans, when Guerdy Abraira watched the Princess of Wales share her cancer diagnosis with the world sitting alone on a bench across the Atlantic, her heart sank.
In an exclusive interview, the Real Housewives of Miami star — who's faced cancer herself — offered hope for Kate's treatment journey while urging the mom of three to "make each day count."
Princess Kate’s video address on Friday sent shockwaves across the world.
Many people wondered how the princess royal would cope in the aftermath of her cancer diagnosis.
Kate spoke candidly about how she learned she had had the disease following major abdominal surgery.
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Vowing she was "going to be OK," Kate, 42, mentioned her preventative treatment and how she needed time to heal.
“'For everyone facing this disease in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone,' "the princess added calmly.
Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy, 45, said Kate's poignant message struck a chord.
In March 2023, the reality TV star was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
Following months of treatment, the mom of two is now cancer-free.
“When I heard Kate’s statement, I had already had an inkling that she was not coming out to talk about the details of the abdominal surgery,” Guerdy told The U.S. Sun.
“All the signs pointed to something internal, so I worried something might be lurking.
“I did pray it was nothing more than it seemed to be for Kate.
“The Royal Family should tell people their updates, but sometimes, things take a little more time for people to process.
"Kate did an amazing job with her address, and I am sure it was a relief for her to say, 'Here it is, here is the truth.'"
Kate had been admitted to a London hospital in January for surgery.
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After two weeks, the princess was said to be recovering at home.
After the Mother’s Day photo scandal, Prince William's wife admitted to editing the image of her sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The rumor mill went into overdrive about Kate's absence from the public eye.
I am so proud of her for going out alone, sitting on the bench, and telling the truth to the world.
Guerdy Abraira
When her children broke up for their Easter vacation, she addressed the nation about her health.
“Kate had to come out and say, ‘Hey, this is what is happening,” added Guerdy.
“I am so proud of her for going out alone, sitting on the bench, and telling the truth to the world.
“The timing was not on her terms, so it took her a lot of guts to do it.”
Guerdy's journey included a diagnosis of stage 1 estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.
This came after a routine mammogram.
The Bravo star's treatment over six months included a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, steroids, and 15 rounds of radiation.
At first, I was not emotionally there to be strong enough for my boys.
Guerdy Abraira
Until then, she was having the time of her life in Miami.
Like Kate, a hard-working mom, Guerdy made waves as an exceptional party planner and appeared on TV.
She had joined the cast of the RHOM for season four.
She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Russell Abraira, for 21 years, and they are raising two sons.
“Telling Miles and Liam that I had cancer was the hardest thing I had to do,” she said.
“I had to confirm and acknowledge the truth that I had cancer first.
“It was such a fast whirlwind of information coming at me that I was so emotional.
“At first, I was not emotionally there to be strong enough for my boys.
“Everyone has their way of doing it.
“Then, it became about telling them that Mommy was not OK and, hopefully, she would be OK.
It took me a month to then type the words online to tell everybody I had cancer.
Guerdy Abraira
“It was the most challenging thing I had to go through.
“I gave the ball to Dad to tell the kids first, so my husband told the kids first.
“Then I came in, reinforcing the details and letting them know Mommy would be OK.
“They could hear it from me, my mouth.
"It took me a month to then type the words online to tell everybody I had cancer.”
In episode two of the sixth season of the Bravo show Champagne Confessions, Guerdy is seen telling her cast mates.
"I went in for one mammogram, which turned into an MRI, which turned into one, two, three biopsies," she said.
"And I'm just gonna say it, I have breast cancer."
Kate’s video address touched on how she and Prince William communicated with their young family.
“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.” Kate said.
Guerdy suggested after sharing her diagnosis with the public and her children, Kate could now find a “safe space.”
“Kate has communicated with her children and told the world,” she said.
“Now, society needs to give her a break.
I woke up every day saying, OK, this is the day we will make it count.
Guerdy Abraira
“Kate needs to do things at her own pace now and have a safe space.
“That would be my main takeaway for Kate from my journey.
“When people offer you a space to share when you want to, that is the number one comfort.
“This journey for Kate will be an emotional and physical battle.
"It is going to be a horrific battle.”
Guerdy’s breast cancer battle ended in November 2023.
At BravoCon, she announced the disease had cleared from her body.
Still, she remains ever-reliant on the support of her close-knit family.
Haitian-born Guerdy claimed her loved ones saw her through challenging times.
“I am standing here today and was finally ringing the last bell in November,” she said.
“I was able to ring in the year 2024 genuinely cancer-free.
For Kate, it will take a village to care for her through cancer treatment.
Guerdy Abraira
“I had my mom, my dad, my siblings, my family, my core family, my two boys, and my husband along the way.
“I woke up every day saying, 'OK, this is the day we will make it count.'
"I try to cherish those moments with my family and am more present now than ever.
“For Kate, it will take a village to care for her through cancer treatment.
“And maybe that wider village needs to be a little silent.
"The world must wait for the person to come out alone again at some point.
“We also have the King, who has also been diagnosed and is going through his type of treatment.
“So now it is up to the Queen and Prince William to take care of the duties.
“It could be a little traumatic for the children sometimes, so the adults need to help keep their minds positive.”
Catch previous seasons of “The Real Housewives of Miami” on Peacock.
