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March 22, 2024 - Catherine, Princess of Wales, says she has cancer

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10:01 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

In pictures: Catherine, Princess of Wales

Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the "early stages" of treatment.

Kate married Prince William, now the heir apparent to the British throne, in 2011. They met while attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

See more photos from Kate's life.

Prince William and Kate are followed by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton as they leave Westminster Abbey in London after their wedding ceremony in 2011.  Kirsty Wigglesworth/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Kate and William depart St. Mary's Hospital in London in 2013 with their newborn son, Prince George.  John Stillwell/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images

William and Kate play drums while visiting the Trench Town Culture Yard Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2022. They were on a royal tour of the Caribbean.  Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, walk behind William and Kate as they leave Westminster Hall in London, where the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was lying in state in 2022.  Emilio Morenatti/AP

Kate meets with Irish wolfhound Turlough Mor (aka Seamus), the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards, during a St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2023.  Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

8:22 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

US President Biden wishes Kate "full recovery"

US President Joe Biden makes his way to board Marine One before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on Friday, March 22. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

US President Joe Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden wished Catherine, the Princess of Wales, a full recovery.

"Jill and I join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate," he said on X, formerly Twitter.
6:15 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

Kate's whereabouts became a subject of frenzied speculation over the last few months

Before Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer on Friday, she had been mostly absent from the public eye since undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
Kate’s health and whereabouts became the subject of frenzied speculation, despite the palace reiterating that it had “made clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery” and that the public should not expect to see her until after Easter.

Kate was first seen in public earlier this month after she was spotted in Windsor wearing dark sunglasses and sitting in the front passenger seat of a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

Speculation about Kate’s health continued, putting pressure on the family to reveal more details.

Trying to put rumors to rest: In what appeared to be an attempt to end the rumors, Kate published an official photograph of her and her three children — George, Charlotte and Louis — on Mother’s Day, which was marked in the UK on March 10.
But instead of ending the speculation, it fueled it instead. Members of the public swiftly noticed several irregularities in the image. After a day of more amateur sleuthing, Kate admitted that she had edited the photograph, and apologized. Multiple global news agencies recalled the image from circulation hours later, citing manipulation concerns.
Records investigation: Most recently, the UK’s data watchdog said earlier this week that it is “assessing” reports that a staff member at the London Clinic allegedly tried to access Kate’s private medical records.
6:02 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

Here's what we know so far about Kate's cancer diagnosis

Catherine, Princess of Wales in Sutton, England, on September 12, 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced Friday she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the "early stages" of chemotherapy treatment.
The princess, known as Kate, described her diagnosis as a “huge shock” in a video statement that was filmed by BBC Studios at Windsor on Wednesday.
“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment," the princess said. "My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."
Here's what we know so far:
  • Few details expected: Kate, 42, who is married to the heir to the British throne, Prince William, did not say what type of cancer she had been diagnosed with and Kensington Palace is not expected to reveal any further medical details, such as what stage the cancer is in.
  • Abdominal surgery: The announcement comes two months after Kate had stepped away from public life temporarily following what Kensington Palace said at the time was surgery for a non-cancerous abdominal condition. She remained in a London hospital for 13 days following the procedure. Kate was spotted in public last weekend for the first time since January, visiting a farm shop with her husband.
  • Preventative chemotherapy: The princess started preventative chemotherapy in late February, a royal source told CNN. She had been expected to return to official duties after Easter. However, she will now postpone further work until she has been cleared by her medical team, the source said.
  • Reactions: The news prompted a wave of sympathy and support from public figures around the world, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, King Charles, Prince Harry and Meghan, the head of England's National Health Service, Kate's brother James Middleton, French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as the White House and US first lady Jill Biden.
  • King Charles also has cancer: Kate's diagnosis is a devastating blow for the British monarchy as King Charles III is currently undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer, which was announced in early February.
  • How to tell children: In the time Kate spent away from the public before revealing her cancer diagnosis, one of her biggest priorities was finding the right way to tell her children, she said. CNN understands the royal couple wanted to wait for their young children to be out of school for the Easter vacation before making an announcement. When talking to young people about a parent's cancer diagnosis, experts advise taking the child's age into account. Read more for tips on how to talk to kids about cancer diagnoses.
5:08 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

French president says Princess of Wales' "strength and resilience inspire us all"

French President Emmanuel Macron stands at the entrance to the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on March 11. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

Princess of Wales' "strength and resilience inspire us all," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a post on X on Friday.

"Your Highness, In this difficult period you are going through, Brigitte and I wish you a full recovery. Your strength and resilience inspire us all," Macron said. 
4:58 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

Princess of Wales' brother sends touching message after shocking cancer news

James Middleton at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, in Windsor, England. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

James Middleton, the brother of the Princess of Wales, wrote a touching message on Instagram to his sister Friday after her shocking cancer announcement
"Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too," Middleton's post read. 

The 36-year-old entrepreneur shared an old family photo of him with his teenage sister.

 

4:49 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

Prince Harry and Meghan send best wishes to Kate after cancer diagnosis

Prince Harry and Meghan at St Paul's Cathedral on June 03, 2022 in London, England.  Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan have sent their well wishes to Catherine, Princess of Wales, after she announced a cancer diagnosis Friday.

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement.

4:37 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

US first lady Jill Biden to Princess of Wales: "You are brave, and we love you"

US first lady Jill Biden posted a message of support on social media for Catherine, Princess of Wales, after the disclosure of her cancer diagnosis.

“You are brave, and we love you. ~Jill,” the first lady wrote on X while re-posting the video message from the princess earlier today. 
4:06 p.m. ET, March 22, 2024

Kate started preventative chemotherapy last month, source says

The announcement was filmed by BBC Studios at Windsor on Wednesday. BBC Studios

The video in which the Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis was filmed by BBC Studios at Windsor on Wednesday.

Kensington Palace is not expected to reveal any further medical details, such as the type of cancer or what stage it is.

The princess started preventative chemotherapy in late February, a royal source told CNN.

Kate had been expected to return to official duties after Easter. However, she will now postpone further work until she has been cleared by her medical team, the source said.

Prince William has been balancing supporting his wife and children while continuing his public-facing duties and will continue to do so, the source added. 

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