Kate Middleton’s video announcement on the end of her chemotherapy signalled a renewed focus on helping others in similar situations, a royal expert has said.
The Princess of Wales revealed her treatment had come to an end in a cinematic video featuring her husband William and kids George, Charlotte and Louis.
Filmed last month by videographer Will Warr, the three-minute clip shows the family exploring a forest, a field and other parts of the Norfolk countryside.
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe said the clip ‘reinforces that brand of a close knit, normal family – normal in inverted commas, obviously’.
He added: ‘It follows from the one they released a couple of years ago around Easter time, which again was shot in Norfolk and showed them playing on the beach and toasting marshmallows and lots of hugs and happy children.
‘That’s clearly the image that that William and Kate are trying to present, and I think they’re doing it quite successfully.’
At the same time, Duncan said it shows the princess’s desire to ‘keep control of the narrative, and quash rumours and any lingering conspiracy theories there might be out there about her health’.
Ahead of Kate’s announcement in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer, wild theories about her disappearance from public life spread widely online.
She explained in a statement that a biopsy following abdominal surgery in January had shown cancer was present, and she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
In the video released this afternoon, Kate said: ‘Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.
‘I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.’
While no itinerary of events has been released, it’s expected that she will attend the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in two months.
Duncan said today’s video also revealed something else about what the Princess of Wales will be doing in the future.
He said: ‘Kate is clearly now going to use her ordeal to help other people that have gone through similar or are going through similar cancer diagnosis and treatment.’
Following her previous work with cancer charities, it ‘will now perhaps get a bit further up the list of her good causes that she promotes’, Duncan said, due to her personal experience.
She closes the announcement saying: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.
‘Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.’
Duncan said: ‘The message was very personal. She talks about it being frightening, and I think people will respect her even more for that.’
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