Prince William and Kate Middleton Release First Joint Statement Since Cancer Announcement

A little more than a day after Catherine, Princess of Wales, posted a video explaining her absence from public view, Kensington Palace released a follow-up statement attributed to the future Queen and her husband, Prince William.

As previously reported, Kate Middleton released a video on Friday in which she announced that a planned surgery in January revealed that “cancer had been present.” She is currently “in the early stages” of “a course of preventative chemotherapy,” she said.

The video abruptly ended the swirl of conspiracy theories and jokes about Middleton’s alleged Photoshop use and low profile, spurring apologies from some who’d made light of the controversy.

On Saturday, Kensington Palace—which handles communications for the Prince and Princess of Wales, among other members of the royal family—sent a new message into the world acknowledging that sudden turn in the public tide.

“The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the U.K., across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’ message,” the statement read.

“They are extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”

One of the most public expressions of support came from Buckingham Palace, which issued its own statement on Friday. “His Majesty is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,’” the statement began, referring to King Charles III, who in February announced that he, too, had been diagnosed with cancer following a medical procedure.

“Following their time in hospital together, [his majesty] has ‘remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks,’” the Buckingham Palace announcement continued. “Both Their Majesties ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.’”

According to a report in the Sunday Times, the king and the princess were actually down the hall from one another during their respective surgeries at the London Clinic in January. 

“When they were in hospital together, there was a lot of toddling down the corridor to spend time with her,” a “source close to Charles” told the paper. “He has been encouraging and supporting her throughout.”