King Charles and Queen Camilla have been informed of Kate Middleton’s cancer news. On Friday, Princess Kate, 42, shared the health update in an Instagram video, which comes after Kensington Palace announced in January that she had undergone a “planned abdominal surgery.”
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” she says in the personal video message. “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.” The news reached the King, 75, amid his own cancer diagnosis, which he revealed in February after undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” the palace said in a statement at the time. “His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that King Charles is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.” King Charles and Princess Kate were both hospitalized at The London Clinic in January, and the monarch has “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.”
Both King Charles and Queen Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.” In her personal video, Princess Kate shared why she’s chosen now to reveal her cancer treatment.
“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,” she said in the video.