It was only this past Friday (March 22) that Kate Middleton released a pre-recorded video in which she announced her cancer diagnosis while on the grounds of Windsor Castle. And though the Princess of Wales addressed and answered many of the public's concerns, viewers everywhere wondered where her husband Prince William was given his absence from the footage.
Fast-forward to now, and it is understood that the Prince of Wales was indeed not present when the announcement was filmed on March 20 because his wife wanted to deliver the message on her own, which understandable! (FYI, despite not being around Wills while opening up about the diagnosis, Kate did mention the following in her speech: “Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”)
A friend close to the couple opened up to The Times about Prince William's feelings amid Kate's cancer diagnosis—and, moreover, her decision to publicly announce the news—and noted that despite the Prince of Sussex wishing his wife had been able to keep her diagnosis private, he still fully supported her choice to film the video.
“She did it with his full support and advice; [William] joined all the conversations around it,” they noted before adding, “On every level, he wishes she didn’t have to do it. But it was her decision, it wasn’t begrudged, and he fully supported it.”
Yet another royal insider who spoke with the outlet noted that William didn’t appear in the announcement video beside Kate because “this was her as a strong woman sharing an innately strong message to the nation. She didn’t need anyone sitting next to her. He has been supporting her and the family in the background.”
When it comes to Kate’s statement, a Kensington Palace source confirmed to People that the Princess of Wales “wrote every word herself”—a truly incredible detail one of her friends supported while speaking with the mag: “She wrote the words herself, delivered it personally, and wanted to decide when the time was right to hit the world with this news.”
Unclear when we'll see the royal couple again amid Kate's news, but we *do* know that it's likely Prince William will return to his engagements after the Easter holiday ends on April 17 given the following update from a Kensington Palace spokesperson: “The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year.”
As for when Kate is set to resume her own royal engagements, Kensington Palace had this to say after the Princess of Wales released her video on March 22: “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.”
Sending Kate and Wills well wishes during this difficult time.
Catch Up With the Royals 👑
Why Is King Charles' Diagnosis Public While Kate Middleton's Is Private?
An Official Timeline of Prince William and Prince Harry’s “Royal Rift”
Meghan Markle Is Gearing Up for a New Podcast: Here’s What We Know
