The Prince and Princess of Wales are “enormously touched” and “extremely moved” by the public’s warmth and support following Kate’s cancer announcement, says Kensington Palace.
Kate, 42, revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in an emotional video message released on Friday evening.
The news has been met with a global outpouring of support, including from King Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, political figures including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden, and members of the public.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said on Saturday night: “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.”
Meanwhile Prince William is “extremely proud” of the “courage and strength” Kate has exhibited throughout her illness, a royal source has told The Telegraph.
“William is extremely proud of his wife for the courage and strength she has shown not just this week, but since her surgery in January,” the source told the newspaper.”
They added that William is now “focused on ensuring his wife has the privacy she needs to fully recover and that his children are shielded from the understandable interest in the news that has been shared”.
Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in February, is said to be proud of his “beloved” daughter-in-law for her courage in speaking about her treatment and has remained in close contact during the past few weeks.
Words of support also came from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
Harry and Meghan are also understood to have reached out to Kate and William in private, in a move that is hoped could help mend the long-standing rift between the royal brothers.
Kate’s form of cancer has not been disclosed, but the future queen began a course of “preventative chemotherapy” late in February, and is said to have a positive mindset for her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as “well and getting stronger every day”.
William and Kate have focused on their children, taking the time to sensitively share the state of the princess’s health with Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis.
It is understood Kate’s video message, recorded on Wednesday in Windsor, was released on the day her and William’s three children began their Easter school holidays, to take advantage of the break to shield them from coverage of their mother’s health.
Hashtags including “WeLoveYouCatherine” and “GetWellSoonCatherine” were trending on X, formerly Twitter, while well-wishers also paid visits to Windsor in Berkshire, on Saturday.
Political leaders of all sides expressed sympathy and support for Kate and criticised what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described as the “intense scrutiny” she has faced from social media and sections of the media around the world.
Lord David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “The strength of the princess – speaking so frankly, with all the pressures of publicity and bringing up a young family – is remarkable and is rightly admired around the world.”
Members of the public have also spoken of their support for Kate following the news.
Linda Boby, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said: “It’s such a shock, she’s such a young lady and she deserves her privacy.”
Local Clementine Black, 49, a business consultant, said: “It’s unbelievably upsetting that Kate has to come out and say this because of online speculation to be honest.”
Ann Anderson ,75, from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, said: “My heart goes out to her, my heart goes out to William, hasn’t he been through enough? He really doesn’t need any more.”
The announcement regarding Kate’s condition is expected to end weeks of intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about the whereabouts and health of the future queen.
The online rumours about Kate intensified after William missed, at very short notice, the memorial service of his godfather the late King Constantine of Greece on February 27.
It is now understood the prince’s decision not to attend was related to his wife’s condition, but it is not known when the princess was told about the positive test for cancer.
Further speculation was triggered after the princess admitted to “editing” her official Mother’s Day photograph which had irregularities.
A further development saw an investigation launched by the UK’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, into allegations there were attempts to access Kate’s private medical records at the London Clinic where she had her surgery.
It is not known how long Kate will be receiving treatment but it is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice, although this will not indicate a return to full-time duties.
William will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since her operation.
The prince is due to return to public duties after his children return to school following the Easter break.
He and Kate will not be at the royal family’s traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel, though King Charles is hoping to attend along with the Queen if his health allows.
It is not likely to be a large family gathering or service, according to The Telegraph, as Charles has paused public-facing royal duties.
Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February. His cancer was detected while he was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate at the same private London hospital where Kate underwent abdominal surgery.
