What Prince William said about Princess Kate's cancer recovery

Quoted by the U.K. newspaper Daily Mirror, one of the royal watchers asked William: "Do you mind if I ask how your wife and children are?"

The prince replied: "All doing well, thank you. Yes, we're doing well."

Kate had major abdominal surgery in January at The London Clinic following what doctors initially believed was a noncancerous health issue. However, following the successful operation, tests late confirmed that cancer had been present. In late February, Kate began a course of chemotherapy, which she described in an emotional video message as preventive.

Kate and William initially kept her diagnosis private even from their children, while publicly a social-media storm threatened to engulf them.

There was wild speculation on X, formerly Twitter, and conspiracy theories were further fueled by the release of a Mother's Day photo that Kate had photoshopped.

However, the couple made it through to the Easter school holidays, when they chose to tell their children about Kate's diagnosis and then also inform the public.

In an emotional video address released on March 22, Kate said: "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," Kate added.

That was a little less than a month after the princess began her course of chemotherapy, which she said was still "in the early stages of that treatment."

At the time of Kate's announcement, a Kensington Palace spokesperson in London 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."

A Kensington Palace news release about William's visit read: "James' Place was founded in 2008 by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley following the tragic death of their son James.

"Aged just 21, James took his own life 10 days after a minor operation, after being unable to find the urgent help he so desperately needed for his anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

"Clare and Nick were determined to prevent other families from losing the men they love and set up the charity to help men in suicidal crisis," the news release added.

"Suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 35, with men three times more likely than women to die by suicide in the U.K."

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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