THE world rushed to support cancer-hit Kate as millions watched her heartbreaking video — and begged internet trolls to leave her alone.
Politicians, celebrities, sporting personalities and royal fans offered their good wishes after the emotional clip of her revealing her diagnosis was released at 6pm.
Kate, 42, had told others with the disease: “You are not alone.”
And the sentiment was echoed back to her from across the globe.
TV presenter Dan Walker wrote on social media: “What a tough time for the royal family.
“I am sure Kate, like the King, will have the best possible care and I hope she is OK.
“I hope that ends the conspiracy theories and she gets the privacy she has asked for.”
And Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden also wrote online: “Wishing the Princess of Wales a speedy recovery and pray this announcement satisfies the bloody thirsty mob who really need to shut up and leave her alone.”
But few online messages will have buoyed her more than the one from her brother, James, who rarely speaks publicly about her.
The businessman, 36, posted a picture with the caption: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together.
“As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
The image showed them wearing polo shirts and carrying backpacks, in front of a hilly peak.
More from Kate’s emotional message…
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak led well-wishers from the world of politics, saying in a statement: “The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery.
“She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today.
“In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.
“When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was heartened by her optimistic tone but added: “Any cancer diagnosis is shocking.
“But I can only imagine the added stress of receiving that news amid the lurid speculation we’ve seen in recent weeks.
“Their Royal Highnesses are entitled to privacy and, like any parents, will have waited to choose the right moment to tell their children.”
Dec 8, 2023: The Princess hosts her annual Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Dec 25, Christmas Day: Kate walks to church with the Royal Family.
Jan 17, 2024: Kensington Palace reveals Kate had been admitted to the London Clinic hospital for planned abdominal surgery on Jan 16.
Jan 29: Kate leaves the London Clinic.
Feb 27: Prince William pulls out of a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece.
Mar 5: The British Army removes a reference to the Princess appearing at June’s Trooping The Colour.
Mar 10, Mother’s Day: Kensington Palace releases a picture of Kate with her three children which is then pulled by the world’s largest photo agencies.
Mar 11: Kensington Palace says Kate made Photoshop alterations to the Mother’s Day picture.
Mar 18: We publish a world exclusive video of Kate and William walking together at their local Windsor farm shop.
Mar 22: Princess Kate reveals she is receiving treatment for cancer and is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy.
Former PM Liz Truss and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also sent messages of support, as did US President Joe Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
From the world of sport, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, US Open winning golfer Justin Rose and Olympic hockey star Sam Quek also wished her well.
And anger at internet trolls was reflected by former England women’s footballer Eni Aluko who said: “We should have suspected and respected this sad news.
“All of the people prying into Catherine’s health and life like she’s public property, should hang their heads in shame.”
England Rugby, of which Kate is patron, and the FA, of which Prince William is president, also wished her a speedy recovery.
The Very Rev Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Abbey where Kate married Wills in 2011, said: “In the face of this news, it is our hope that Her Royal Highness will feel sustained by the love that surrounds her and find renewed hope in the prayers that we offer.”
But there was also a deluge of messages from royal fans — ordinary people touched by her video.
Nick Fairford replied on the Wales’s Instagram page: “We all adore you and your family, and are totally with you every step of the way.”
Another fan added: “This breaks my heart. I wish you all the best.”
Sun readers sent messages of support in their droves.
Jan Hopkins said: “It must have been awful for you with all the gossip regarding your surgery and your relationship, I just find it unbelievable how people can be.”
Alison Stokes wrote: “Take time to heal and will see you when ready. Your family are your rock.”
And cancer survivor Margaret Wilson added: “You are loved by millions. I know you will get the all clear soon. I’ve beaten it 3 times.”
THE past few months have seen members of the royal family struck down by various health battles. Here is a rundown:
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.
JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.
JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen.
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer.
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week.
JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment.
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day.
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”.
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer, but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties.
FEB 18: The King appears in good spirits as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham.
FEB 23: The King filmed crying and chuckling while opening some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers.
FEB 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: Kate Middleton pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate.
THE Sun's Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson says it's time cruel trolls lay off Kate as he gives his insight into her shock cancer diagnosis.
It is sometimes hard to remember and understand that this is a family and they are going through very tough experiences at the moment.
I find it very interesting that she does speak about how they’ve taken time, they’ve needed time, to process this information and also tell their three children George, Charlotte and Louis, which would be an incredibly difficult conversation.
A lot of people who have poked fun at Kate purely to gain hits online, such as Kim Kardashian, need to have a hard look at themselves and apologise for their behaviour.
People have been asking where’s Kate? Well, she’s been coping with this cancer diagnosis and having to tell her young family.
Much of the abuse has also come from so-called ‘Sussex Squad’ members on Twitter who are fans of Harry and Meghan. This has been a shameful episode and people should show the Princess of Wales more respect.
We know the Princess of Wales went into hospital for abdominal surgery in January. That surgery was successful and it was non-cancerous. However, subsequent tests have found cancer and at the end of February she embarked on the start of preventative chemotherapy.
They’ve taken time to process this and Kate has announced this to the world today.
They’ve chosen today because it is the last day of school for George, Charlotte and Louis and it means that they can now huddle together as a family for the next couple of weeks away from all the drama and really come together and deal with this cancer diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis that Kate has said she has found shocking, but it’s also a cancer diagnosis that many people around the world will listen to and will have sympathy for and empathy for because there are many families that are also going through this kind of situation and having to break the news to their children, as in this case.
Kate has been living her life in the spotlight for many, many years and there has been some very nasty stuff posted online. Lots of bullying, we would suggest, about Kate and about why she has been missing for the last couple of weeks.
We understand that wasn’t a motivation for her coming out today to make the statement but it’s obviously something that has dominated the front pages and dominated social media online. Questions about what has happened to Kate. Now she has answered it and said that while everyone has been discussing where she is, that actually she has been coping with the diagnosis of cancer and digesting this with her family.
She has told the rest of the Royal Family. The King – who also has his own diagnosis of cancer and is also undergoing treatment – has been made aware. The Royal Family will be circling the wagons.
I think she will be getting a huge amount of support from family and friends and she has spoken about how William, obviously, has shown her so much support.
They will now be off for a couple of weeks with the three children for Easter. William will return after the Easter holidays. And The Princess of Wales may well return.
She says she is full of hope, she says that she hopes that she will get better, she’s told the kids that she will be OK.
So we may see The Princess of Wales in coming months attending engagements but we really do need to give her time as she has asked to see how the preventative chemotherapy gets on.
