William and Kate ‘enormously touched’ by public support

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be “extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support” following Catherine’s cancer diagnosis

The Prince and Princess of Wales are “enormously touched by the kind messages” they have received following Catherine’s cancer diagnosis, a Kensington Palace spokesman has said.

Saturday’s statement also added they were “grateful” that the public understood their request for privacy.
Catherine revealed in a video message on Friday that she had begun treatment.
She received her diagnosis after tests carried out following abdominal surgery “found cancer had been present”.

A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: “The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’ message.
“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.”

The statement is the last we will hear from the prince and princess for a while.

It is a message that is both a thank you and a polite warning – with the couple saying the public side of this diagnosis is over and they want to be left alone.

It is also an acknowledgement of the overwhelmingly positive response to Catherine’s video message.
Social media has been a place of such toxicity for the princess in recent weeks with the wild rumours and gossip about her condition.

Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis started their school Easter holiday on Friday.
They do not return to school until 17 April and we do not expect to see or hear from the family during the break.
They have made it very clear that this is family time that they will protect fiercely.

The central element of any royal Easter is the church service on Easter Sunday, which is usually a strong gathering of royals at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

Prince William and Catherine have already said they will not attend the service this year, but we may see King Charles III lead the family to church.

Buckingham Palace say they are “hopeful” he will be able to join the family next weekend.

According to The Sun on Sunday, the King, who has himself been diagnosed with a form of cancer, had an “emotional” private lunch with Catherine at Windsor Castle “hours” before she made her announcement.

Nearly all of Sunday’s papers lead with reaction to news of the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis.

The Sunday Express wrote of “a nation touched” by the “courage and dignity” of Catherine while The Daily Star Sunday recalled some of the speculation about her health before the announcement, saying celebrities had now “rushed to apologise”.
Among well-wishers visiting Windsor on Saturday was Linda Boby, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, who told PA: “It’s such a shock, she’s such a young lady and she deserves her privacy.”