Kate Middleton Is Undergoing Treatment For Cancer

Here’s all the royal news you might have missed this week.

Kate Middleton Is Undergoing Treatment For Cancer

The Princess of Wales has released a video message saying she is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. In a moving statement from Windsor, she has said the cancer was discovered after she underwent major abdominal surgery at the start of this year, describing the diagnosis a ‘huge shock’ after an ‘incredibly tough couple of months’.

Kate explained that when she had surgery, it was not known that there was any cancer. ‘However tests after the operation found cancer had been present,’ she said. ‘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 added: ‘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.’ The video finishes with Kate asking for ‘some time, space and privacy’ for her and her family.

More Royal News You Might Have Missed

Kate Breaks Silence Following Photo Manipulation Concerns

Kensington Palace attracted criticism over the weekend after publishing an image of the Princess of Wales and her three children for Mother’s Day that appears to have been manipulated.

Speculation arose online as soon as the image – which shows Kate surrounded by George, Charlotte and Louis – dropped, with critics questioning Kate’s blurry hair and Charlotte’s misaligned sleeve, as well as the unseasonal leafiness of the tree in the background. And these question marks were soon ratified by some of the world’s major photo sources, who retracted the image over night.

 

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‘AP initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace,’ American news agency The Associated Press (AP) explained. ‘While there was no suggestion the photo was fake, AP retracted it because closer inspection revealed the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP’s photo standards. For instance, the photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand.’

It was the first official image of the Princess since December 2023, and Reuters, Getty Images and Agence France-Presse (AFP) also pulled (or ‘killed’) the image from circulation. But Kate has now broken her silence, taking to Instagram to clarify why the image appears to be (and indeed is) edited. ‘Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,’ Catherine wrote. ‘I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused,’ signing off the message, ‘C’.

The Princess Of Wales Was Spotted In Windsor With Her Mother

5 Mar 2024: Amid speculations over the whereabouts of Kate Middleton – and the surprise appearance of her uncle, Gary Goldsmith, on Celebrity Big Brother – the princess was spotted out and about in Windsor with her mother, Carole Middleton.

The Princess of Wales was reportedly photographed in public by American gossip site TMZ, who shared images depicting the Princess in the passenger seat of a 4×4 Audi wearing a large pair of sunglasses and a dark polo neck top. Her mother, Carole, was in the driver’s seat. This is the first time Kate Middleton has been seen out in public since Christmas Day – and the first bit of news we’ve had about her wellbeing since undergoing abdominal surgery back in January.

According to Vanity Fair, sources close to Kate have said that she is prioritising her health at this moment in time and is focusing on getting better. These same sources also said that she ‘hasn’t ruled out speaking about what she has been through’, so we might hear the Princess’s take on the last three months sooner than we first thought.

Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography Opens This Spring

4 Mar 2024: Over the last century, the British Royal Family has been captured on camera, bringing an unprecedentedly candid dimension to one of the world’s most famous families. And the public can now enjoy the best of the photographs at a brand new exhibition gathering more than 150 photographic prints, proofs and documents from the Royal Collection and the Royal Archives.

Hosted at Buckingham Palace’s The King’s Gallery (previously known as The Queen’s Gallery), and curated by Alessandro Nasini, you can find out exactly what to expect from Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography in our guide here.

Where Is Kate Middleton? Rumours Fly On The Internet Over Missing Royal

1 Mar 2024: ‘Where is Kate Middleton?’ is probably the most-searched question on the internet now. Social media platforms went into a frenzy last week as public speculation over the Princess of Wales’ whereabouts reached a dramatic (and somewhat silly) peak.

Following a planned abdominal surgery earlier this year, the Royal Family announced that Kate Middleton would be stepping away from royal duties until Easter so that she could recover peacefully at home. But over the course of the last week, during which Prince William abruptly pulled out of his godfather’s funeral, concerns have raised over her whereabouts – with conspiracy theorists suggesting a number of wild possibilities as to where she went.

The public’s fixation grew so big that a spokesperson for Kensington Palace stepped in, saying that ‘We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant.’ The Palace also told The Independent that the princess was ‘doing well’.

King Charles, 75, Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer

5 Feb 2024: King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, with confirmation of the news coming from a statement from Buckingham Palace. The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed, and though it was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate, it is not prostate cancer. The King, 75, has begun “regular treatments” and will postpone public duties during this time. He remains positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible. No further details have been shared about the stage of cancer or a prognosis. The King has informed his sons about his diagnosis and will continue his constitutional role as head of state, including paperwork and private meetings, while pausing public events. According to reports, Prince Harry will be traveling to the UK to visit his father in the coming days.

The Buckingham Palace Statement reads: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual. The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Range Rover Is Up For Sale On Auto Trader

31 Jan 2024: Looking for a set of new wheels? How about the late Queen’s old Range Rover? It’s about as regal as cars get – and it’ll set you back a cool £224,850.

Bramley Motor Cars are currently listing Elizabeth’s old set of wheels on the second hand car site Auto Trader, with a humble 18,000 miles on the clock. Previously equipped with police emergency lighting and specially adapted fixed side steps, the car has been returned to its former state, though special grab handles to the rear of the passenger compartment remain, which enable th Queen to hop into the vehicle more comfortably.

You might recognise it from one very high profile state visit: in April 2016, Prince Philip, accompanied by The Queen, drove the car to meet President Obama and Michelle Obama as they stepped off Marine One after it landed in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Interested? Visit autotrader.co.uk to enquire.

Princess Kate Returns Home While The King Extends His Hospital Stay

29 Jan 2024: King Charles III has extended his stay at the London Clinic in Marylebone, following successful surgery on his enlarged but benign prostate. He was originally due to spend two nights under the watchful eye of doctors, but last night (Sunday) was his third night in their care. Concerns are naturally rising for the King’s health, but the Royal family assures us he is well, with a source telling The Sun the third night is ‘entirely precautionary’.

In the same hospital, Princess Kate recently underwent routine abdominal surgery. As of today (Monday 29 January), she has returned home to continue her recovery from surgery, with a statement from Kensington Palace confirming ‘She is making good progress’.

 

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Simultaneous Medical News For The King, Princess Of Wales & Duchess Of York

23 Jan 2024: It’s been an intense week for the Royal family, with medical news concurrently breaking for the King, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York. While Sarah Ferguson has posted on Instagram to say she is ‘taking some time for herself’ following her shock skin cancer diagnosis – which came just months after she opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis – sources close to Kate Middleton say the Princess is ‘doing well’ in her recovery from successful planned abdominal surgery at the London Clinic. Regardless, she is not expected to return to duties until after Easter.

Meanwhile, the King is preparing to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate. Queen Camilla has confirmed he is ‘fine’. Source: The Independent

The Princess Of Wales Has Been Admitted To Hospital For Planned Surgery

17 January 2024: According to an official statement from Kensington Palace, the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for a planned abdominal surgery and is now in recovery at an undisclosed hospital. It is expected that the princess, who turned 42 earlier this month, will take a break from public duties until she is fully recovered after Easter.

The princess asks for privacy regarding her personal medical information at this time.

 

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In a statement the public, Kensington Palace said:

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.

Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.

The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.
She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.

Regent’s Park Is Getting A Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden

5 January 2024: The late Queen Elizabeth II lives on in the hearts of many Londoners, Brits, and people across the globe following her death in September 2022. Upon her death, millions flocked to London to pay their respects, whether that was joining the infamous Queue to see her majesty lying in state, or leaving memorials and flowers beside Buckingham Palace in Green Park.

Come 2026, we will have a new, permanent place to pay our respects: at a special memorial garden in Regent’s Park. London based Landscape Architect HTA Design LLP has been tasked with transforming the disused Hyde Park Nursery into a lush, two acre space open to the public. Visitors will find trees, plants and flowers, paths, a pond, a lookout tower, a pergola, and a section of woodland with a path winding through it. It’ll sit just off The Broad Walk, beside the existing Espresso Bar.

The park is still in the planning stages, with work set to commence in spring 2024. The garden is expected to open in 2026, coinciding with what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. If you’d like to have your say on the garden’s design, you can complete The Royal Parks’ online questionnaire here (by 28 January), or head down to the garden’s future location to share your thoughts in person.

When: Saturday 20 January 2024, 11am–3pm & Tuesday 23 January 2024, 11am–3pm

Location: By the Espresso Bar, Broad Walk, The Regent’s Park

Sophie Winkleman Reveals How The Late Queen Aided Her Car Accident Recovery

2 January 2024: In a new interview with Tatler, Peep Show star Sophie Winkleman – aka Lady Frederick Windsor, daughter-in-law of Prince and Princess of Michael of Kent – has revealed how King Charles II and the late Queen’s advice and generosity expedited her recovery from a brutal car accident. The 2017 crash, which left Sophie with a broken foot and two broken bones in her back, and left Sophie fearing for her future mobility, with a three day wait before doctors confirmed she would not be left paralysed.

The Royal family rallied around the actor during her recovery, with the King arranging meals to be cooked by his Clarence House chef and delivered to Sophie twice every day for months. But Sophie tells Tatler how, a year on from the accident, ‘Physio left [her] in so much pain’. ‘It wasn’t working,’ she says. When she shared this with the late Queen Elizabeth II at a function, she had a handy solution.

‘She told us that when horses had broken backs, they swam, and so she let me use her pool at Buckingham Palace. That’s the reason I got better. It was so typically thoughtful,’ says Sophie. Source: Tatler

Prince Harry Was Victim Of Phone Hacking, High Court Rules

15 December 2023: Prince Harry has won a substantial part of his phone hacking case against the UK tabloids after the High Court ruled that he was the victim of ‘extensive’ hacking by Mirror Group Newspapers between 2006 and 2011. The Duke of Sussex has been awarded £140,600 in damages as recognition of the ‘distress’ caused by articles published containing information that was gathered unlawfully. Source: The Guardian

K-Pop Band Blackpink Visit Buckingham Palace

 

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22 November 2023: King Charles staged an elaborate banquet in honour of South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit – and K-Pop stars Blackpink were in attendance. In his speech to banquet guests, the King threw in some surprising nods to Korean popular culture, praising Blackpink’s environmental acitivism and even referencing Korean rapper Psy’s hit track ‘Gangnam Style’.

A New Statue of Queen Elizabeth II Has Arrived in London

 

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16 November 2023: Over a year since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, a new state honouring our longest reigning monarch has been unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall. Standing at two metres tall (much taller than real life), the statue is located in the venue’s North Porch, beside a new statue of the late Queen’s husband, Phillip. Created by London-based artist Poppy Field, both were officially revealed on 11 November in a ceremony attended by King Charles III, who celebrated his 75th birthday this week.

Will Princesses Eugenie & Beatrice Soon Be Working Royals?

3 November 2023: Is it time for some fresh faces on the Royal front? Some commentators think so. With an ‘ageing’ gang of senior Royals, Royal commentator Richard Eden believes Prince Andrew’s daughters could be the answer. ‘As I have watched the King and Queen carry out engagements in East Africa, what has struck me most is that they need help,’ Eden told Palace Confidential. ‘If we want the monarchy to continue to be as strong as it was under the late Queen, we need new recruits to “the Firm”.’

The line-up of working royals has thinned in recent years, what with the deaths of the Queen and Prince Andrew, Prince Harry’s departure and the disgraced Prince Andrew. This means fewer family members are on hand to conduct Royal duties. At present, only seven Royals perform their duties as a full-time occupation:

• King Charles III
• Queen Camilla
• William, Prince of Wales
• Catherine, Princess of Wales
• Anne, Princess Royal
• Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
• Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

‘King Charles should ask his sensible nieces, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, if they would like to become working royals,’ Eden recommended. ‘I know they have a great sense of duty, so they would be likely to agree. A Commonwealth realm that does not expect to see the new monarch in a hurry would, I’m sure, welcome a visit from one of his nieces.’

Featured image: Getty Images