Catherine, William ‘enormously touched’ by messages of support

The news dominated British newspaper front pages. “KATE, YOU ARE NOT ALONE,” The Sun’s front page declared, saying she received a “huge outpouring of love and support”. The rival Daily Mirror went with “KATE REVEALS CANCER SHOCK” and shared her remarks about how she had to explain the news to her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The Daily Mail rounded on people who have speculated on her health, asking: “How do all those vile online trolls feel now?”

Rumours and gossip on social media, in newspapers and even some US talk shows had abounded since Catherine’s January surgery, although her Kensington Palace office had announced at the time that she would be absent from royal engagements while she recovered.

On Friday, messages of support poured in for Catherine, including from King Charles, Prince Harry, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and US President Joe Biden.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who have been estranged from the royal family since their move to California in 2020, said they wished “health and healing for Kate and the family”. There have been reports that the Sussexes only found out about Catherine’s diagnosis about the same time as the public.

US President Joe Biden posted on social media, saying he and first lady Jill Biden “join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.”

King Charles III, who is also undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer, said in a statement that he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.”

Sunak said Catherine had “shown tremendous bravery” with her statement, adding she “has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media”.

Catherine’s diagnosis was also big news internationally.

“Catherine’s Cancer Diagnosis Puts UK Royals on Even More Uncertain Terrain,” said The New York Times, noting that the grave health concerns of both the King and Catherine are stretching an already slimmed-down monarchy.

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Charles, who took the throne in September 2022 after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth, underwent a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital as Catherine in January.

Buckingham Palace then revealed in February that the 75-year-old king was to have treatment for cancer, meaning he has had to postpone his public royal duties.

Reuters