London: It is not the news any mother should have to deliver to her young children, let alone a nation. But the Princess of Wales, who has faced more than anyone could reasonably be expected to bear over the past few months, did so with a brave face and a voice that, nonetheless, broke just a little.

From a park bench in Windsor, where she lives with her husband and three young children, the Princess told the watching world that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

She is “going to be OK”, she said. In words she will have repeated to reassure 10-year-old Prince George, eight-year-old Charlotte, and five-year-old Louis time and again since they learnt what the word cancer means, she is “well and getting stronger every day”.

Dressed simply in her off-duty uniform of jeans and a striped jumper, she looked as close to her polished self as is possible in the wake of major abdominal surgery and the beginning of chemotherapy treatment.

While the Princess’s engagement ring was missing in her Mothering Sunday photograph, in this video, the distinctive blue ring that once belonged to Princess Diana was back in its rightful place.

Having steeled herself for a video message – never the preferred medium for the naturally shy Princess – she delivered in one take a message that will go down in history as one of the most moving royal broadcasts imaginable.

Catherine and William with their children Louis, Charlotte and George.Credit: Getty

Beginning with generous thanks to the nation for its support and understanding while she has been out of the public eye, the Princess went on to deliver calmly the explanation of why that has been.

In a tone belying that worse news was to come, she thanked her medical team and, with her voice trembling slightly, revealed that after her abdominal surgery in January they found she had cancer.

QOSHE - The voice of a naturally private Princess cracked as she shared her diagnosis with the world - Hannah Furness
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The voice of a naturally private Princess cracked as she shared her diagnosis with the world

16 10
23.03.2024

London: It is not the news any mother should have to deliver to her young children, let alone a nation. But the Princess of Wales, who has faced more than anyone could reasonably be expected to bear over the past few months, did so with a brave face and a voice that, nonetheless, broke just a little.

From a park bench in Windsor, where she lives with her husband and three young children, the Princess told the watching world that she was undergoing treatment........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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