Kate's moving gesture to child cancer patients: Princess had previously donated her hair to make wigs for young people with the disease

The Princess of Wales, who tonight announced she has cancer aged 42, previously donated her hair to young people with the disease.

Kate announced in a emotional video that her diagnosis came as a 'huge shock' revealing that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment. 

The Princess, whose cancer was only found following an unrelated abdominal surgery, has long been a supporter of different cancer charities. 

In 2018, the future queen even cut off seven inches of her own hair to donate it to the Little Princess Trust - a charity that makes realistic wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.

The idea was believed to have come to the Duchess after she had her hair cut at Kensington Palace by hairdresser Joey Wheeler who then worked for Richard Ward Hair in Chelsea.   

Kate announced in a emotional video that her diagnosis came as a 'huge shock' revealing that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

Catherine's emotional and extraordinary words in her unprecedented video message

'Four months ago Joey persuaded her it was time to take off some of her hair; he said it was just getting too long,' a royal source said at the time.

'While Joey was snipping away the idea came to her of doing some good with it rather than throwing it away. She mentioned it to Joey, who thought it was a brilliant idea.

'It was sent using someone else's name, so that the trust didn't know it was from a royal source – they just thought it was from a female donor in the Kensington area.'

The source added: 'It's lovely to think somewhere a little girl is happily wearing a wig made from a real princess's hair. It's a very heartwarming thing for Kate to have done, and very thoughtful to use hair that would have otherwise just been thrown away.' 

It is believed Kate did not use her own name when donating her locks to the charity. 

This evening, the Princess made a shock statement regarding her health after weeks of social media speculation. 

Kate said that her husband William has 'been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'. 

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen said: '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.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) 'need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment'

'As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

The video comes just days after the royal couple were seen smiling at their local farm shop. 

The announcement has sent shockwaves around the world after weeks of speculation - and crazed conspiracy theories - about Kate's health.

Her diagnosis creates a fresh crisis for the slimmed down monarchy at a time when King Charles is also undergoing treatment for cancer. 

In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.

Reacting to the public statement, Buckingham Palace said the King is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did'.

Following their time in hospital together, the King has 'remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks'.

It added that both Charles and Camilla 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time'.

The Prime Minister also sent well wishes to the Princess, writing in a statement that his thoughts were with the 'Royal Family and the three children at this very difficult time.

Rishi Sunak praised the Princess of Wales's 'tremendous bravery' after she announced she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

He went to add that Kate had been 'unfairly treated' and 'subjected to intense scrutiny' in recent weeks and called for her to be given the privacy to focus on her recovery and be with her family.