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

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. 

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. 

CNN understands the Prince and Princess of Wales wanted to wait for their young children to be out of school for the Easter vacation before announcing Catherine's cancer.

The couple have three children: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5.

Friday was the day their children began their Easter break.

King Charles said he was "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did" following the announcement by the Princess of Wales that she had cancer.

Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer following a procedure for an enlarged prostate, remains in the "closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law," Buckingham Palace said.

"Both Their Majesties will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time."

Kate and William, whom she praised for the "comfort and reassurance" he had given her after her diagnosis, have been a couple for more than two decades.

They met while studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and initially struck up a friendship. They began dating in 2003, around Christmas time, after she walked down the runway for a university charity fashion show wearing a see-through dress that, as the well-known story goes, captured the young prince's attention. 

After graduating in 2005 with a degree in art history, Kate briefly worked as an accessories buyer for British women’s fashion chain Jigsaw, continuing to date William amid frenzied media attention until they split up in 2007. 

Their split lasted only a few months, however, and they publicly announced their engagement in November 2010. Kate’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring originally belonged to Princess Diana. 

Media coverage at the time focused on Kate’s middle-class upbringing in Berkshire, southeast England, the Middleton family, and her mother Carole’s career journey from flight attendant to successful entrepreneur, spinning a “fairytale” narrative of the first commoner in more than 350 years to marry a prince in the direct line of succession to the throne.  

Much pageantry and fanfare accompanied their wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Kate wore a custom-made Alexander McQueen dress, complete with such precise detailing that seamstresses had to replace their sewing needles every three hours, according to British Vogue. 

Around 1,900 guests attended the ceremony while the British public were granted an extra public holiday to mark the occasion. Across the country, 24 million viewers -- about a third of the population -- tuned in to watch. The US viewership was estimated around 22.8 million.

The head of England’s National Health Service (NHS) has said it was “really brave” of Catherine, Princess of Wales, to share her cancer diagnosis and that speaking publicly can help others get worrying symptoms checked.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, said she was sorry to hear the “shocking news” and that her thoughts were with the royal family.

Pritchard said in a statement: "On behalf of the NHS, I'm really sorry to hear this shocking news.

"Our thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and the Royal Family, especially while her treatment continues. We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families.

"Speaking out about it is really brave and it can help others to get worrying signs and symptoms checked. If you're worried about cancer, the NHS website has more information."

The White House called news that Catherine, Princess of Wales, has cancer “terrible,” and said the administration was “incredibly sad to hear of the news.” 

“We just heard, obviously all of us, just heard the terrible news,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday, moments after the news broke. “Our thoughts are with the Duchess of Cambridge and her family members and friends during this incredibly difficult time, and certainly we wish her a full recovery.”

Jean-Pierre stressed it was “important that we respect their privacy, especially at this time, so I'm not going to go further than that.” 

“I know folks are going to ask if the president has spoken to her or the family,” she added. Referring to Kate by her previous title, Jean-Pierre said, “I can just say right now that we don't have anything to share at this time, but obviously we wish the Duchess of Cambridge a full recovery, and we are incredibly sad to hear of the news.” 

Asked if the White House was given a heads-up about the announcement, Jean-Pierre said they “learned just like all of you, and we want to be incredibly respectful of their privacy.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Catherine, Princess of Wales, has "the love and support of the whole country" after she revealed Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the "early stages" of treatment.

Sunak said Friday on X that Kate Middleton had shown "tremendous bravery with her statement" and that his thoughts were with her and "in particular her three children."

Kate had been "unfairly treated," Sunak said, and "subjected to intense scrutiny" in recent weeks and called for her to be given the privacy to focus on her recovery and be with her family.

"When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.

"I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she's ready."

Opposition leader Keir Starmer said Kate has "the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too" during this "distressing time."

The Labour leader criticized "lurid speculation" about Kate's health and whereabouts and added that she was entitled to privacy.

The announcement that Kate has cancer is a devastating blow for the British monarchy as King Charles III is currently undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer, which was announced by Buckingham Palace in early February.

The update on the princess’s health came after Kate successfully underwent abdominal surgery on January 16. She remained in a London hospital for 13 days following the procedure and, on doctor’s advice, had since been away from public duties during her recovery.

"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous," Kate said in Friday's video statement. "The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found 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."

Kate was spotted in public for the first time since January, visiting a farm shop with her husband Prince William last weekend.

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