Global support pouring in after Kate Middleton reveals cancer diagnosis

LONDON (TND) — Support from around the globe is pouring in for Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, after she revealed Friday in a shocking announcement that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

In a video posted to X from the royal family account the princess shares with her husband, Prince William, she explains her recent abdominal surgery in January was a success but tests revealed that "cancer had been present."

"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," she said. "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."

Kate said she has been “getting stronger every day.” The princess did not specify what kind of cancer she is battling.

Politicians, leaders and public figures have been sending messages of condolences to Kate since the news broke. Hashtags including “WeLoveYouCatherine” and “GetWellSoonCatherine” have been trending on X.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing Friday afternoon, not long after the announcement, that the White House was "incredibly sad to hear of the news" and wished her a full recovery.

President Joe Biden echoed that sentiment in a post on X, saying, "Jill and I join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate."

King Charles III, who is also undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer, said in a statement that he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did." Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who have been estranged from the royal family since their move to California in 2020, said they wished “health and healing for Kate and the family."

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on social media that Kate "has the love and support of the whole country" and added that she has shown "tremendous bravery" when making the announcement.

The news followed weeks of wild speculation over Kate's whereabouts, as she had been out of the public eye since January for the surgery and recovery process, and was not slated to return to public duties until after Easter.

These rumors were fueled even more after Kate acknowledged she had manipulated a photo posted to social media celebrating Mother's Day in Britain on March 10.

"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day," she wrote on X the day after.

A statement from the palace said no details would be provided about Kate's cancer or her treatment, other than she started it in late February.

After successful surgery, chemotherapy is often used to help kill any stray cancer cells and to prevent the cancer from coming back. Treatments have evolved, and when chemo is used now, it’s sometimes for shorter periods or lower doses than it once was.

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.