Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, William, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Dec. 25, 2023."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 Friday of her diagnosis, which she said she received afterin January.
She continued, "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." Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, William, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Dec. 25, 2023.Kate's decision to wait until Friday to publicly announce her diagnosis was likely made with a priority of protecting her children, according to ABC News royal contributor Victoria Murphy.
The type of cancer Kate was diagnosed with has not been disclosed. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said Friday that Kate commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February.Murphy said it appears William and Kate took their time in telling their children about Kate's diagnosis to better prepare them for the news.
Murphy continued, "I think the timing of this announcement is about the fact that they can now take the children away from the outside world."Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend a ceremonial welcome, at Horse Guards Parade on Nov. 21, 2023 in London.