Royal family members have put on their bravest faces in recent days, continuing their public duty as usual, despite knowing the Princess of Wales would announce her cancer diagnosis today.
On Friday afternoon, Kate, 42, addressed speculation about her health in a video, saying she had undergone preventative chemotherapy in recent weeks after tests following her abdominal surgery showed ‘cancer had been present’.
Speculation about the health of Prince William’s wife has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks.
A sight of Kate walking by William’s side in a Windsor farm shop, filmed by a local resident, had served to allay concerns and today’s video address, recorded earlier this week, will come as a shock to many.
The Princess of Wales, 42, revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer following tests following her gastric bypass surgery in January
Strain: William has continued with his public duties this week, knowing his wife had to make an announcement about her cancer diagnosis. William pictured on 19th March he traveled to Sheffield to speak to families who have experienced homelessness first hand
In a video address sent today at 6 p.m., the princess told the British public that she is in good spirits and now focused on her recovery from the illness, saying: ‘Having William by my side is also a great source of comfort and reassurance.
‘Like the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us.’
During his wife’s treatment, Prince William, 41, has continued to brave public duties, missing only one major event, the memorial service for Greece’s King Constantine II in Windsor three weeks ago, in recent months.
On Tuesday, despite knowing the announcement was likely to be made this week, he was cheered as he returned to royal duties.
His Royal Highness attended a meeting of local landlords, convened by Homewards, to discuss how they can work together to end family homelessness on Tuesday
A prince’s compassion: The Princess of Wales said in her video, filmed in Windsor on Wednesday, that having ‘William by my side is also a great source of comfort and reassurance’ (The Prince pictured with a nurse in Sheffield on Tuesday)
The Prince of Wales plowed ahead with the day job in Sheffield to promote his aim to help end homelessness in the UK in the next five years.
A stoic William waved to crowds and spoke to families experiencing homelessness as he visited the town, one of six sites for his Homewards initiative, which he set up in 2023.
Later, the heir to the throne met community representatives and grassroots organizations attending a workshop to help design a new housing project in South Yorkshire.
On Tuesday, Queen Camilla met members of the public when she visited Douglas Borough Council on the Isle of Man
And on Wednesday, the 76-year-old royal traveled to Northern Ireland to meet Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill (left) and Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, right
King Charles III, himself undergoing treatment for cancer, pictured arriving at Clarence House on Tuesday
Elsewhere it was a similar story. Queen Camilla met crowds of well-wishers on a visit to the Isle of Man on Wednesday.
The Queen, 76, greeted people outside Douglas Borough Council on Wednesday after presenting letters patent officially granting Douglas city status.
People gathered to meet the Queen after she unveiled a plaque at City Hall, waving flags, handing her bouquets and shaking hands.
The Princess Royal with Commander ARRC Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse during her visit to Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Headquarters on 22 March 2024
The Princess Royal and Duchess of Edinburgh stepped in for King Charles III earlier this week and hosted a reception for Korean War veterans
After leaving the town council, the Queen took an eight-minute drive to Government House in Onchan, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and his family, where she met community groups including the Manx Bluetits swimming club and the RNLI, which was formed on the island.
And on Wednesday, the king’s wife traveled to Northern Ireland on a two-day trip.
Camilla attended an event organized by The Queen’s Reading Room to mark World Poetry Day at Hillsborough Castle, where she met Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly in Belfast.
On Wednesday, the Duchess of Edinburgh met patient Astrid Walker, two, during a visit to the pediatric neuroscience department at Leeds Children’s Hospital
And today, the Princess Royal, almost certainly aware of the seriousness of Kate’s condition and tonight’s upcoming announcement, also continued with a business as usual approach.
The royal met senior army officers as she opened a new block of flats named after a war hero.
Anne, 73, unveiled a plaque naming the new officers’ accommodation at Imjin Barracks in Innsworth, Gloucestershire, after Colonel James Carne. Col Carne had been the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment during the Korean War in 1951.
The King’s sister has taken on more engagements this week, covering for Charles at a reception for Korean War veterans.
The Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh walked together as they chatted with attendees at Buckingham Palace in central London.
Despite King Charles’ physical absence, the monarch added a personal touch to the reception, delivering a message via Anne.
Charles explained that his absence from the event has left him feeling “disappointed” and “frustrated” but is “deeply grateful to the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh for standing by.”
Sophie, 59, an increasingly important senior royal, also visited the pediatric neuroscience unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital on Wednesday.