Kate Middleton Skips Royal Easter Service Following Cancer Diagnosis

Transcript

00:00 Kate Middleton, Prince William and their three kids skipped out on Easter church service

00:05 with the rest of the royal family this year.

00:08 The move comes after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis on March 22.

00:14 But King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the Easter service at St. George's Chapel

00:19 on Sunday, marking Charles' first major public appearance since announcing his own

00:24 cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

00:27 According to People, Kate, William and their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and

00:31 Prince Louis are believed to be enjoying a quiet Easter at home together.

00:36 The Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis in a video message released by Kensington

00:41 Palace on March 22, in which Kate confirmed that she has begun preventative chemotherapy.

00:48 In her message, the Princess reflected on how she and William have prioritized their

00:53 three children during this challenging time and why they continue to request space as

00:58 they navigate their next steps.

01:01 I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally for all the wonderful messages

01:06 of support and for your understanding whilst I've been recovering from surgery.

01:12 It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had

01:16 a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me for which I'm so grateful.

01:22 In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time it was thought that

01:28 my condition was non-cancerous.

01:31 The surgery was successful, however tests after the operation found cancer had been

01:36 present.

01:38 My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy

01:43 and I'm now in the early stages of that treatment.

01:48 This of course came as a huge shock and William and I have been doing everything we can to

01:53 process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

01:58 As you can imagine, this has taken time.

02:01 It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment, but

02:06 most importantly it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis

02:12 in a way that's appropriate for them and to reassure them that I'm going to be okay.

02:18 As I've said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things

02:22 that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits.

02:27 Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too, as is the

02:32 love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you.

02:36 It means so much to us both.

02:39 We hope that you'll understand that as a family we now need some time, space and privacy

02:46 while I complete my treatment.

02:49 My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when

02:54 I'm able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

03:01 At this time I'm also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.

03:06 For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope.

03:13 You are not alone.

03:15 [Music]