Queen Camilla Speaks Publicly About Kate Middleton For The First Time Since Cancer Video Confession

Apr 03, 2024

The start of 2024 began with some serious health announcements from the royal family. On January 17, 2024, Buckingham Palace released a statement revealing King Charles III would undergo hospital treatment for an enlarged prostate. It later said tests had identified a form of cancer for which the monarch would begin treatment. Afterward, Kensington Palace disclosed in a statement that the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, had undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic. It said the surgery had been “successful” and that the princess would remain in the hospital for a 10–14-day recovery period.

News of the pair’s hospitalization led to an outpouring of well wishes and support from their supporters worldwide. This came as no surprise, as Charles and Kate are among some of the most popular members of the royal family. But while Charles was lauded for his transparency surrounding his diagnosis, Kate’s initial silence over her condition led to increasingly bizarre theories and wild rumors bolstered by her disappearance from the public eye.

When Kate finally broke her silence to post a family portrait on Mother’s Day, possibly in an effort to quell the speculation, the move backfired. The photo was confirmed to have been manipulated, and a “kill notification” was issued by various news photography agencies. Kate subsequently issued an apology, but this did little to stamp out the now-raging media frenzy. Photos of Kate seen out in public were scrutinized and believed to be fake, with the media and social media users offering theory after wild theory behind her absence. 

Finally, on March 23, 2024, a video of Kate speaking frankly to the camera was shared on her official social media accounts. In it, she appeared calm and slightly fatigued as she dropped the bombshell that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

In the video, Kate shared that after her successful abdominal surgery, doctors came back to her with devastating news.

“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she explained.

Kate also offered an explanation as to why she had kept the news private. 

“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 am going to be ok,” she said. 

The Princess of Wales added her family needed “some time, space and privacy” while she completed her 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,” the princess said, reassuringly. “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

The news put an end to the fierce rumormongering of the weeks prior, and the focus now shifted to defending and consoling the princess. Attention began to move to her family and those closest to her, particularly senior members of the royal family. Their roles have transitioned to not only become pillars of support and care for their ailing loved ones but also to maintain the function of the monarchy and step up in one of its greatest times of need.

Queen Camilla was among the members of the royal family who went above and beyond during such a crucial period for the monarchy. After Charles stepped back from his public-facing duties, Camilla stepped up, continuing to honor her own engagements and appearing at events in his stead.

Camilla has been praised for stepping up in the king’s absence. Royal commentator Angela Levin said:

“Supporting (Charles) very much, absolutely by his side, is Queen Camilla who is going to all the engagements that they would have gone to together on her own. … I mean, she is holding the Royal Family up and being strong.” 

Levin added that while controversies surrounding Camilla in the past had not endeared her to the public, this had now changed.

“She’s there and she’s very accessible, and she makes people laugh and she’s very caring.”

But Charles is not the only one in Camilla’s heart and mind. On March 27, 2024, during a visit to the county town of Shrewsbury, Camilla stopped to greet members of the public who had gathered to see her. Among the crowd, the queen consort spotted a pair of young girls holding hand-written signs reading, “Send our love to Kate!” 

As the girls offered the written wishes to Camilla, the latter remarked, “I know that Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support.”

According to The Telegraph’s Camilla Tominey, the queen has been a private source of support for Kate by helping her navigate the media frenzy.

“I think before (Kate) made the announcement because she was having to cope with the fallout of everything that was said about the Mother’s Day photo and everything else, I think Camilla lent some support. Because let’s be honest, (Camilla) knows what it’s like to have a difficult press. She knows what it’s like to shepherd children through a media storm.,” Tominey said.

What are your thoughts on Queen Camilla’s conduct as King Charles and Kate Middleton deal with their health crises? Has she stepped up and proven herself to be on par with Princess Diana? Let us know, and pass this along to friends and family eager to hear news about the royal family.