？
Close
Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
Morning Headlines email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly learned of Kate’s cancer diagnosis through the announcement on television.
A source told The Times that the couple, who lead a strained relationship with the Prince and Princess of Wales, were not informed in advance of Friday’s statement.
And yesterday, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun he believed the decision was made due to a lack of trust in the Sussexes.
“The reason of course is that for some four years, they’ve caused endless problems for the Royal Family and so they can’t be trusted,” he said.
It comes as ludicrous conspiracy theories were spread on social media over Kate’s pre-recorded emotional video broadcast on Friday, in which she bravely revealed her abdominal surgery on 14 January had led to the discovery of cancer.
Some users on platforms like X have outrageously claimed the announcement was AI-generated.
Although shared by algorithms, they have been met by anger, including from the Daily Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers who slammed the “cascade of conspiracy theories”.
He added: “We really need to take a look at ourselves as a society.”
Recommended
Kate Middleton and Prince William ‘extremely moved’ by support since cancer reveal Kim Kardashian under pressure to apologise for Kate Middleton joke I‘ve been revelling in Kate Middleton conspiracy theories. Now, I’m ashamed Piers Morgan mocked after criticising people who shared Kate Middleton health conspiracies
Key points Widespread condemnation over conspiracy theories What we learned over weekend Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly discovered Kate diagnosis on TV King Charles says he is ‘so proud’ of Kate for her courage after revealing cancer diagnosis Royal adviser hits out at speculation leading up to Kate’s diagnosis revelation
Show latest update 10 minutes ago ‘Did we learn nothing from Diana'
Strong piece in The Sunday Times yesterday from journalist Matthew Syed who wrote of the impact of the spread of “mad rumours” over Kate Middleton.
Fewer than half of the UK population are on X or TikTok, and only a small proportion create any content at all, he said.
So why are the algorithms giving voice to the “tiny group of idiots and bots” spurting our outrageous claims, he asked.
He argued that the mainstream media needed to gain a new handle on the digital world to stop the spread of such sensational content which leave society “stupider and crueller”.
Alex Ross 25 March 2024 09:17
21 minutes ago Widespread condemnation over conspiracy theories
As if most weren’t sick enough of the wild conspiracy theories that followed Kate Middleton since she’d been in hospital for abdominal surgery in January, over the weekend more emerged about Friday’s broadcast.
We’re not going to share the content of such wild claims, but they have led to widespread condemnation.
The Daily Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers slammed the “cascade of conspiracy theories” that he said were created by people who have “absolutely no information”.
Matthew Syed, writing in the Sunday Times, said he couldn’t help contrasting the “quiet dignity” of Kate revealing her cancer diagnosis with the “lurid gossip of those who [have] taunted her”.
Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, was concerned baseless claims were reaching “millions and millions of people.
She said: “What really, I think, annoyed me was seeing that she was then being revictimised by being blamed for not having come out immediately.”
Alex Ross 25 March 2024 09:06
1 hour ago A few things we learned over the weekend
Friday’s late announcement by Kate Middleton led to a change in plan for all major newspapers editors planning the weekend’s editions, and it certainly felt, reading Sunday’s coverage, that many were still catching up with what had happened.
Here’s some of the key points we’ve picked out from yesterday’s newspapers:
The Sunday Times reported that Hary and Meghan were not informed in advance about Kate’s cancer diagnosis, and found out at the same time as the public. The recorded announcement broadcast by Kate was composed herself with no input from her advisers. The King Charles hopes to “ramp up” his royal activities in early summer, and plans to attend Easter service, as is tradition, this Sunday. While in the London Clinic hospital in January, Kate and the King shared many “heart-to-heart” chats
Alex Ross 25 March 2024 08:20
1 hour ago Inside Amner Hall: Kate and William’s retreat where they will focus on family during cancer fight
As Kate and her family take time away from the public eye during her treatment, we take a look at where the five will be finding sanctuary.
The five are believed to be retreating to Amner Hall in Norfolk, which was a wedding present to the Waleses from the Queen, to focus on their young family as the princess convalesces.
The Georgian country house, which is part of the Sandringham Estate in the village of Anmer, is one of a number of properties that the Prince and Princess of Wales have at their disposal across England.
The young family relocated to Adelaide Cottage, a Grade II-listed four-bedroom house just a 10-minute walk from Windsor Castle, in autumn 2022.
Tara Cobham reports:
Inside Amner Hall: Kate and William’s family retreat during cancer fight Princess of Wales requested privacy as her family retreat after weeks of lurid speculation over her health
Barney Davis 25 March 2024 07:49
1 hour ago Kate Middleton’s parents ‘perfect antidote’ and will rally around Princess of Wales- Expert
Carole and Michael Middleton, Kate’s parents, will be rallying around their daughter forming the perfect antidote to the “pomp and pageantry” of the royal family after Kate’s shock cancer diagnosis, according to a royal expert.
Royal commentator and biographer Duncan Larcombe told the Mirror: “I think Carole and Michael will be supporting the family a lot. I think they were made aware of [the cancer] when Kate was made aware of it, and have played an important part in supporting the family since.
“William is very much like the adopted son to Carole and Michael Middleton - and he always has been.”
He added: “The Middletons are the perfect antidote really to the pomp and pageantry of the Royal Family, because they are quite an ordinary family unit, which will be important to help aid Kate’s recovery. I think what we will see now over the next coming weeks and months is William really focusing on the Middleton family and really being that adopted son.”
(Andrew Milligan/PA)
(PA Wire)
Barney Davis 25 March 2024 07:34
2 hours ago What is preventative chemotherapy? Kate Middleton’s cancer treatment explained
The Princess of Wales has announced in a statement that she has been diagnosed with cancer after an incidental finding following abdominal surgery.
Kate Middleton also said she was undergoing “preventative” chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is a term used to describe the treatment of someone diagnosed with cancer and is used to kill cancerous cells – although Kate specifically used the term preventative chemotherapy.
Rebecca Thomas reports:
What is preventative chemotherapy? Kate Middleton’s cancer treatment explained The princess said she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ after revealing she had been diagnosed with cancer
Barney Davis 25 March 2024 07:12
3 hours ago Kim Kardashian under pressure to apologise for Kate Middleton joke
Kim Kardashian is being pressed to apologise and take down her “insensitive” post about Kate Middleton after the royal announced on Friday that she is battling cancer.
Kardashian, 43, was one of many public figures who piled on to speculation about why Kate has been absent from public life for months. The Princess of Wales had not appeared in public since Christmas Day before Buckingham Palace announced that she was undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January.
On 17 March, the reality starposted a photo of herself posing in front of a luxury car, while she was wearing leather pants and a black crop top. “On my way to go find Kate,” she captioned the post.
Read the full article here:
Kim Kardashian under pressure to apologise for Kate Middleton joke Reality TV star posted a photo of herself posing in front of luxury car with caption: ‘On my way to go find Kate’
Holly Evans 25 March 2024 06:00
4 hours ago Dame Joan Collins shares ‘great admiration’ for Princess of Wales
Joan Collins shares ‘admiration’ for Princess of Wales following cancer diagnosis Dame Joan Collins has shared her “great admiration” for the Princess of Wales after sharing her cancer diagnosis. Collins lost her sister, Jackie, to cancer in 2015, but appeared optimistic for the royal, who found out she had it following major abdominal surgery in January. “I think we’re all going to pray for her. And I think that she is going to survive. She’s going to come out of this feeling strong. She’s young”, Collins told GB News. Kate will now undergo a course of “preventative” chemotherapy.
Holly Evans 25 March 2024 05:00
5 hours ago Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly discovered Kate diagnosis on TV
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly discovered Kate’s medical condition at the same time as the public, when it was announced on television.
A source told the Times: “It is understood that Kate’s cancer diagnosis was not shared in advance with Harry and Meghan.
“Several sources confirm that there were no such conversations and it is thought Harry found out about Kate’s diagnosis from television, at the same time as the public.”
Shortly after the Princess of Wales announced she had begun preventative chemotherapy treatment, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
Holly Evans 25 March 2024 04:00
6 hours ago Young girl who beat cancer in lockdown after support from Kate urges her to ‘fight like I did’
A young cancer survivor who met the Princess of Wales while being treated for the disease has sent Kate an inspiring message of hope.
Kate met Mila Sneddon in 2021 after her story touched the princess. Now eight years old and in remission, Mila urged the princess: “You will be brave because I was and you will fight it like I did.”
Mila, from Stenhousemuir, near Falkirk in Scotland, met the future queen after her picture was included in Kate’s photography project during the coronavirus pandemic. She had come to symbolise isolation during lockdown after being pictured kissing the kitchen window in her home as her father stood outside.
Read the full article here:
Young girl who beat cancer in lockdown after support from Kate urges her to fight The eight-year-old who is in remission plans to send a get-well-soon card to the Princess of Wales
Holly Evans 25 March 2024 03:00
Newer 1 / 5 Older
More about Kate Middleton Princess Of Wales Health Prince William Prince Harry duke of sussex duchess of sussex Prince of Wales
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
1/ 1Harry and Meghan ‘not trusted’ with Kate’s diagnosis - live
Harry and Meghan ‘not trusted’ with Kate’s diagnosis - live
The Prince and Princess of Wales have thanked the public for their support
AP
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in