2024-03-23 16:23:25
London – AFP
After weeks of rumors and speculation, the United Kingdom witnessed a state of shock on Saturday, the day after it was announced that Princess Kate had been diagnosed with cancer, amid praise for the courage of the very popular wife of the heir to the British throne.
The British Royal Family finds itself in an unprecedented position. Two of its most prominent members, the future king and queen, are fighting a battle against cancer.
The Princess of Wales’s statements on Saturday made headlines in the British press, which loves Kate and often considers her an exemplary member of the royal family.
The word “shock” and its picture covered the front pages of several newspapers. “Kate, you are not alone,” The Sun newspaper wrote in its bold headline, while The Times newspaper quoted the princess’s optimistic words with the headline: “I will get through this.”
Kate’s health condition, and the silence surrounding her long recovery period after her abdominal surgery in mid-January, sparked a torrent of rumours, especially on social media.
The Telegraph wrote: “Internet trolls who delight in the princess’s misfortunes should be ashamed of themselves.”
“I’m shocked,” Gwen, a British vice-president of a software publishing company, told AFP, adding: “We were all wondering what was happening, and it’s very sad to hear that the worst scenario has come true.”
Following the announcement of the news on Friday evening, messages of support for Princess Kate poured in.
King Charles III, 75 years old, who was diagnosed with cancer in early February, said that he was “proud of the courage” of his son William’s wife, Kate, in announcing her illness.
In a statement, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who have separated from the royal family and live in California, wished Kate and the family “health and recovery.” They added: “We hope they can recover in an atmosphere of privacy and calm.”
US President Joe Biden confirmed on the X platform that he is praying for Princess Kate’s recovery, while his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, wrote on the same platform, “Your strength and resilience inspire us all.”
– “I need sometime”
Kate revealed her illness in a video clip on Wednesday, in which she said: “The past few months have been very difficult for my entire family,” noting that the tests conducted after the abdominal surgery she underwent revealed the presence of cancer.
Kate spoke of her great shock, pointing out that the family “needs time,” and called for respecting the family’s privacy.
The princess is undergoing preventive chemotherapy, which patients usually undergo after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer returning and spreading in the body.
According to the British PA agency, Kate began treatment at the end of last month. Like Charles, Kate did not specify the nature of her cancer.
– A basic character
A spokesman for Kensington Palace said on Friday that the princess will return to her official duties “as soon as her medical team allows her to recover.” According to PA, Kate, her husband, William, and their children will not attend the traditional Easter Mass with the royal family.
Royal family expert Richard Fitzwilliams said that Kate’s cancer was “terrible news.” He added: “There is no doubt that the current stage is very difficult for the royal institution,” noting that it is “almost impossible” to plan anything related to Charles and Kate.
The princess’s health condition has raised concerns over the past two months. Two months ago, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had undergone major abdominal surgery in a London hospital. The palace then indicated that she would not return to her public duties before Easter.
The Princess of Wales, with her constant smile and elegance, is considered one of the most popular figures in the royal family.
Kate, William, and their three children, George (10 years old), Charlotte (8 years old), and Louis (5 years old), live in a private house in Windsor, west of London.
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