NBC's Andrea Mitchell says Kate deserves 'tremendous amount of gratitude' for on-camera cancer announcement after weeks of 'painful rumor-mongering'

NBC News host Andrea Mitchell has praised the Princess of Wales for announcing her cancer diagnosis on camera after weeks of painful rumors. 

The 77-year-old, who beat breast cancer after she was diagnosed in 2011, appeared on MSNBC Reports on Friday where she reacted to Kate Middleton's shock revelation. 

'I just think she deserves a tremendous amount of gratitude,' Mitchell said. 'I was so struck by the grace and poise that she brought to that announcement.'

The Princess of Wales, 42, announced she is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy in a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday.

She 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'. 

NBC News host Andrea Mitchell has praised the Princess of Wales for announcing her cancer diagnosis on camera after weeks of painful rumors

The 77-year-old, who has beat breast cancer, appeared on MSNBC Reports on Friday where she reacted to Kate Middleton 's shock revelation. Pictured: Mitchell announcing her cancer diagnosis on-air in 2011

NBC News' chief foreign affairs correspondent Mitchell praised the royal for sharing her diagnosis on camera despite suffering from weeks of painful rumors.

'Clearly all the controversy and rumor-mongering had to be painful...and here she is, his [Prince William’s] beloved wife going through a cancer diagnosis,' she said.

'She, going through a cancer diagnosis as the mother of three small children, initially thinking she was in the clear.'

She added: 'After a very tough surgery, and I know something about that kind of surgery and how difficult any abdominal surgery is, it's a 6-8 week recuperation generally.

'You can’t even pick up a handbag, you can barely walk after that kind of surgery for several weeks.

'Then to find out whatever the DNA testing was shows there actually was cancer is such a blow.'

Mitchell reflected on her breast cancer diagnosis in 2011 and how she could relate with what Kate is going through.

'In my case it was in the middle of a presidential campaign, the first thing I was thinking of was my career,' she said. 

'Well she’s thinking about her children, she’s thinking about her public role also and how you now go back and explain it was cancer.

'Then deal with the physical side of this, it is emotionally draining, physically draining.

'She had major surgery, she needed to recover from that surgery before she could even begin the preventive chemotherapy.'

Mitchell added: 'This is something that is so important as a national issue and for her to speak as she did about the importance of chemotherapy, the importance of prevention, of healing, of time to deal with her children is so important to everyone in this larger community.' 

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

Mitchell discovered her breast cancer early following a routine mammogram in 2011

The Princess of Wales made the announcement speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom.

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.'

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

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

Mitchell discovered her breast cancer early following a routine mammogram in 2011.

She underwent a mastectomy followed by a delayed breast reconstruction to treat her cancer. The journalist has since advocated for early detection.