In March 2023, Kate Middleton announced that she was suffering from cancer, the nature of which has not been revealed. News about the health of the Princess of Wales has since been rare.
Since December 2023, Kate Middleton has not been seen in public. The Princess of Wales, a major representative of the British crown, was forced to give up her obligations for some time to take care of her health. Suffering from cancer, Prince William’s wife is undergoing treatment far from media attention.
On January 17, 2023, Kensington Palace announced that Kate Middleton had been seen the day before for “scheduled” abdominal surgery. The operation was successful and the Princess of Wales remained convalescing for thirteen days. Cutting short any rumors, the palace clarified that the operation was not cancerous and that the princess would be back after Easter.
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The princess finally left the London Clinic on January 29 to return to “her home in Windsor to continue her convalescence after her operation”. “She is making good progress,” it was stated. No images of his admission or his release appeared in the press.
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How did Kate Middleton announce her cancer?
After months of speculation about the nature and seriousness of her operation, and silence from the palace, Kate Middleton has decided to speak out about her state of health. In a video recorded in the gardens of Windsor Castle, broadcast on March 22, 2023, the Princess of Wales announced that she had cancer and had started “preventative” treatment with chemotherapy.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, reveals she has cancer in a video shared on March 23, 2024.
Sipa / © EyePress News/Shutterstock
“With William, we have done everything we can to process and manage this privately for the good of our young family,” assured Kate Middleton. “It took us a while to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that suited them and to reassure them that everything will be okay. » The announcement was made just before the three children’s school holidays. The family then left for Norfolk, where they have a home.
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What type of cancer does Kate Middleton suffer from?
Neither the princess nor the palace wanted to share details about the type of cancer the princess suffers from, nor the stage of her cancer. We therefore currently know neither the causes nor the progress of the treatment.
The exact state of health of Kate Middleton is therefore not known. Prince William sometimes gives news of his wife during his outings. In June 2024, he assured that his wife was “better”.
Note that the British royal family has never reported their ailments and illnesses. Let us remember that no details were given on the health of Queen Elizabeth II before her death in September 2022. We also do not know the nature and severity of the cancer from which King Charles III suffered.
When will Kate Middleton resume her activities?
The palace has not given any indication regarding a possible return of the princess. At the start of his convalescence, it was announced that his return would be after Easter. “We were very clear from the start that the Princess of Wales would be away until after Easter and that Kensington Palace would only provide updates when something was important. » The announcement of the cancer disrupted the initial schedule and, since then, no date for a possible return has been communicated.
The Adelaide Cottage residence, where Kate Middleton and Prince William are staying, in Windsor.
Sipa / © Invicta Kent Media/Shutterstock
Very active in ordinary times, the Princess of Wales is still keen to continue her commitments in the shadow of Adelaide Cottage, where she is currently, notably with her Shaping Us campaign, in partnership with the Royal Foundation to give priority to the education of children. Following the publication of a report which indicated that the princess continued her work even away from the cameras, the palace however clarified that this did not mean a “resumption of work”.
When was Kate Middleton last seen?
Kate Middleton’s last appearance dates back to December 2023. The princess was with the royal family to attend the traditional Christmas mass given at Sandringham Chapel. She appeared smiling and looking great as usual.
Kate Middleton and Prince William with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall (Zara Tindall’s daughter), at Christmas mass, in Sandringham, December 25, 2023.
Sipa / © George Rogers
At the beginning of March, she was photographed on the outskirts of Windsor, in a car with her mother Carole Middleton. A second brief appearance followed, on March 11, still by car but this time with Prince William who was going to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony given for Commonwealth Day.
In mid-March, a photograph of the princess surrounded by her children was released on the crown’s official social networks on the occasion of Mother’s Day. In addition to having sparked a lively controversy due to retouching, everything suggested that it had been taken before Kate Middleton’s health problems.
A few days later, on March 19, a video broadcast by the Anglo-Saxon tabloids made headlines. Prince William and his wife were filmed shopping at the Windsor Farm Shop, a farm produce store located a short walk from Adelaide Cottage. Witnesses assured that they found her “happy, relaxed and in good health”.
How did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle react?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as soon as the new release, made a point of sending their well wishes to Kate Middleton from the United States. The Sussexes sent the following message: “We wish health and healing to Kate and her family, and we hope that they can devote themselves to this in privacy and peace.” This is the only statement made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex regarding the state of health of the Princess of Wales.
