Why Kate Middleton Chose to Announce Her Cancer Diagnosis Now

On March 22, Kate Middleton shared she’d been diagnosed with cancer and is in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy. The date and timing of the announcement were chosen deliberately, Hello! reports; the Palace shared that Kate privately began her treatment at the end of February.

Kate did not announce the news immediately to give her and her family some time to process, she said. (William pulled out of his godfather’s memorial on February 27, because they had learned of her diagnosis, Kensington Palace told outlets today.)

Hello! was also told that March 22 was chosen with the couple’s children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—in mind. Their Easter break from the Lambrook School, which they attend in Windsor, began today. It will last until April 17, giving the family further time to process everything in private—and without comments or questions from other students and parents.

Kate said in her video that “it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I’m going to be OK. As I’ve said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body, and spirits.”

Read her full announcement below:

I wanted to take the time to thank you personally for all the messages of support and for your understanding whilst I’ve been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me for which I am so grateful.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

My medical team therefore advised that I should go a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I’m now in the early stages of that treatment. This, of course, came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment, but most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I’m going to be OK.

As I’ve said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body, and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too as is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

We hope that you’ll understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I am able. But for now, I must focus on making a full recovery.

At this time, I’m also thinking of all those whose live have been affectedly cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.