Why Kate Middleton Waited Until George, Charlotte and Louis Were Off from School to Share Cancer News

The Princess of Wales said she and Prince William took time to share her health news with their kids "in a way that is appropriate for them"

Kate Middleton may have strategically waited to announce that she is receiving cancer treatment until her children were out of the classroom.

The Princess of Wales, 42, shared the news in a personal video message published by Kensington Palace on Friday, explaining that post-operative tests following her "major abdominal surgery" in January "found cancer had been present," though it was initially understood that the issue was non-cancerous. Princess Kate explained that she is in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy, that the diagnosis came as a "huge shock" and that she wanted to take time to tell her three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, about what was happening before revealing the news to the public.

Prince William and Princess Kate's children have attended the Lambrook School since September 2022, and the private prep school is currently on a half-term break. George, Charlotte and Louis will have a few weeks off from school surrounding the Easter holiday before the next term begins, creating space for the family to have private time together following Princess Kate's announcement.

Related: King Charles Informed of Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis as He Also Undergoes Treatment for Cancer

The Prince and Princess of Wales are known to clear their calendars when their children are off from school, and this instance is likely no different. The Wales family often spends school breaks, weekends and holidays at Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk, about 110 miles north of London. Princess Kate is said to feel "most at home" at Anmer Hall and has previously said she is happiest "with my family outside in the countryside."

Princess Kate directly addressed the impact of her health news on her family in her personal video message, outlining, "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," the Princess of Wales said. "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."

Princess Kate added that having her husband Prince William, 41, there to support her is "a great source of comfort and reassurance," as is the "the love, support and kindness" from the public.

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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were also referenced in the statement that Kensington Palace released on Jan. 17 announcing that Princess Kate had had abdominal surgery the day prior following an acknowledgment of the attention it would draw.

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private," the palace said in January.

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