Kate Middleton pays tribute to husband Prince William as it's revealed he'll return to work after spending Easter with his family: 'Having him by my side is a great comfort'

Kate has paid tribute to the support of her husband William as it emerged he will return to royal duties after spending Easter with his family. 

The Princess of Wales, 42, announced tonight in a deeply emotional video that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy. 

The royal revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.   

The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays. 

Appearing in a video filmed in Windsor on Wednesday, Kate described how her diagnosis had affected her family and thanked her husband for his 'comfort and reassurance'. 

The Princess of Wales has paid tribute to her husband after revealing her shock cancer diagnosis 

Kate, 42, announced tonight in a deeply emotional video that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy

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

A source emphasised that this has been a difficult period for the Wales family. William has been focused on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake engagements and work, and is extremely grateful for the support from the public.

The princess will remain out of the public eye for the time being.

Kate's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.

At the time Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They have confirmed again tonight that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer.

However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'.

The princess is now on what has been described as a 'recovery pathway' having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godmother, King Constantine of Greece.

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts – although that has been upsetting and unpleasant - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

It is understood that Kate wanted the time and space to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover from her surgery and to then begin her pathway to recovery.

Throughout this period, her and William's three young children have been their priority.

They wanted to be able to tell them at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public, it is understood.

The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which now has added significance given her diagnosis

Kate and William pictured in November 2023 while welcoming the president of Korea to London 

With the children now away from school on their Easter holidays, the couple feel now is the right time to share their update.

Kensington Palace say they will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is, and has strongly asked people not to speculate.

However they say that she is in 'good spirits and focused on her recovery'.

'She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,' a spokesman said.

'She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.'

In her video statement the Princess, dressed casually in a stripped Breton top and jeans, said: 'I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. 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.

'This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. 

'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.

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

'We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my 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.'

Kate with Louis and Charlotte in May 2023 as they helped renovate and improve the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough

William and Kate were spotted leaving Windsor last Monday

Even amidst her own personal anguish, there was a message for fellow cancer sufferers: 'At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.'

A spokesman for the princess said: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

However her spokesman confirmed: 'The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy…in late February.'

The palace will not confirm how long her treatment is expected to last and has asked the media and public not to speculate.

It also said it would not confirm where her treatment would be taking place, a spokesman adding: 'We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.'

Asked when the princess was given the news by her doctors, a spokesman explained: 'Once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed.'

They added: 'The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family. '

It has not been confirmed whether the princess is being treated on the NHS or privately.

However in selecting healthcare providers for The Princess, a balance of factors would have been considered by her medical team.

These include the most appropriate specialists for the condition, and the potential impact on other patients or on the resources of their healthcare providers and the privacy and security of the princess.

Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in Norfolk in 2022

Kensington Palace have said they understand the worldwide interested the princess's announcement would generate but have stressed that they will only provide an update when there is something significant to say in order to allow her to continue her treatment in private.

A spokesman said: 'Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period. Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and The Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family's privacy is respected. '

Kensington Palace said: 'The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.'

It is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice. Any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.

A source added that she is in good spirits and focused on her recovery. She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her and now needs to take the time and space to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.

Kate's cancer battle in her own words: The Princess of Wales' emotional video statement in full 

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. 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.

This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

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.

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

We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my 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.

At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.