Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis ‘was the reason Prince William pulled out of service last-minute’
PRINCESS Kate’s cancer diagnosis was the reason Prince William pulled out of a church service at the last minute, it is understood.
The Prince of Wales did not attend the Thanksgiving service held in honour of Greece’s late King Constantine due to a “personal matter” on February 27.
It comes as today Kate revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer.
The mother-of-three underwent successful major abdominal surgery in January and spent 13 days in hospital.
More from Kate’s emotional message…
- Kate reveals she’s being treated for cancer
- Kate told George, Charlotte and Louis ‘I’m going to be ok’
- The Princess won’t return to royal duties until she’s cleared
- ‘William is by my side’ says Kate in shock cancer statement
- Kate’s diagnosis ‘was reason Will pulled out of service’
- Live updates as brave Kate opens up on cancer diagnosis
- Princess Kate’s emotional video statement in full
No cancer was detected at the time and it was believed to be non-cancerous.
But subsequent tests found cancer and she began a course of preventative chemotherapy at the end of February.
The diagnosis was the reason that William pulled out of a thanksgiving service at Windsor last month for a “personal matter”, it is understood.
The Prince of Wales informed the Greek Royal family he could not attend the service due to a personal matter.
Kensington Palace would not elaborate further but said that Princess Kate was “doing well”.
This evening Kate released a personal video statement in which she says the diagnosis came as a “huge shock”.
But brave Kate, filmed sitting relaxing on a bench at Windsor, vowed: “I am well and getting stronger every day”.
She describes how she and William have needed time to process the news and reassure George, 10, Charlotte, 8, and five-year-old Louis, that “I’m going to be OK”.
Addressing other people who have been diagnosed with cancer, she told them: “Please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
She said for now “I must focus on making a full recovery”.
The palace are unable to say when chemotherapy treatment will end.
Kate’s abdominal procedure took place at the London Clinic on January 16, Kensington Palace previously confirmed.
Kate was last officially seen with her family at the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham.
Her absence has been plagued by vile conspiracy theories over her whereabouts in the weeks that followed the announcement.
On March 4, Kate was seen for the first time since her operation. as she rode in a car with mum Carole, 69.
That same week, she shared a sweet snap of herself with Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte for Mother’s Day.
But eagle-eyed royal fans were quick to spot flaws in the snap – before photo agencies ordered a “kill notice” on the pic.
This caused further vile conspiracy theories to spread – before Kate admitted on March 11 that she had “experimented with editing“.
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
MARCH 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
MARCH 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
MARCH 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
MARCH 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
She was spotted in the car with Prince William as they left Windsor Castle that afternoon.
She was later said to be “very sad” that the sweet photograph had triggered a global furore.
William meanwhile has been continuing his royal duties – joking how his “wife was the arty one” at one event last Thursday.
He also made an emotional speech about mum Diana at her legacy awards.
Then, on Saturday, royal fans spotted Princess Kate out and about near her home at Windsor.
On Monday, Kate seen in a video obtained by The Sun shopping with Prince William.
The diagnosis comes as three workers at The London Clinic are investigated over allegations they attempted to hack Kate’s medical records.
Bosses at the hospital have refused to confirm when they were first made aware of the allegation, whether anyone had been suspended, or if any private information was accessed.
The London Clinic’s chief executive Al Russell said in a statement: “Everyone at The London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.
“We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.
“We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.
“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”