King Charles stresses importance of friendship 'in a time of need' after Princess Kate cancer diagnosis

LONDON — King Charles III   delivered an Easter message Thursday stressing the importance of friendship, “especially in a time of need” — his first public remarks since Kate, the princess of Wales.  revealed she had become the second senior royal to be diagnosed with cancer. 

The pre-recorded audio message comes ahead of the king’s attendance at a  service on Easter Sunday , in what will be his most significant public appearance since his own cancer diagnosis   in February.

Charles, 75, was heard at a traditional Maundy Thursday service at Worcester Cathedral, near Birmingham in the West Midlands, some 130 miles northwest of London.

He spoke of how Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other,” and how “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need,” according to the Press Association, a British news agency that typically reports royal announcements.

Buckingham Palace confirmed Wednesday that the king will attend the Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle — one of the most important spiritual events in the royal calendar.

The king did not address his daughter-in-law’s health directly or name her in his brief personal message on Thursday. But royal watchers may interpret his words in the context of the ongoing family health crisis.

He also delivered a Bible reading.

The king did not appear in person at Thursday’s event — instead Queen Camilla deputized for him. Charles has stepped back from public engagements on medical advice.

The king’s public relations team also released a new picture of the monarch sitting at a desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room, apparently recording his address into a microphone.

Charles has spoken of how touched he is by the outpouring of messages and cards from well-wishers from across the United Kingdom and beyond as he undergoes treatment for cancer, the exact type and stage of which the palace has not disclosed.

The king released a statement after Kate revealed her diagnosis last Friday, saying that he had become closer to his daughter-in-law through their shared hospital stays.

The king was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” the statement said.

The  Royal Maundy service  is part of the king’s role as the head of the Anglican Church. The monarch hands out specially made coins in white and red purses to 75 men and 75 women to reward them for good deeds such as charity work, a reference to the king’s age. Camilla performed that role on Thursday.

The event symbolizes the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of disciples the day before Good Friday. The custom dates back to 600 A.D. and the coins have been in use since 1662, when Charles II distributed Maundy money.

Charles attended last year’s service at York Minster, following a tradition set by Queen Elizabeth II to hold it in different places across the U.K., not just in London.

The king continues to work behind the scenes while receiving treatment for cancer. On Tuesday, he met community and faith leaders from the Windsor Leadership charity at Buckingham Palace, and he continues to hold a weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, albeit on at least one occasion by phone.

source: CNB news

Kate Middleton Shared Her Cancer News Without Prince William for an Important Reason

When Kate Middleton  shared the  news of her cancer diagnosis last week and her preventative chemotherapy, there was a major detail from the video that many royal fans noticed: Her husband, Prince William, didn't join her in filming the message. Now, a source close to the royals says that it was intentional, with Kate not only writing the heartfelt message  but wanting to deliver it to the public herself, too. However, those sources do note that the royal family — William included — is supporting the princess throughout her recovery.

"It is a message from the princess about her health, and she wanted to personally deliver the message on her own," a palace insider told  people before adding that William has been "supporting her throughout." William is extremely proud of his wife for the courage and strength she has shown not just this week but since her surgery in January, " they said. "Now more than ever, he’s focused on ensuring his wife has the privacy she needs to fully recover and that his children are shielded from the understandable interest in the news that has been shared."

Fans did notice that Kate  mentioned her husband and as well as her children in her message In addition to sharing the news of her health, Kate mentioned why she had been out of the spotlight for weeks after her January abdominal surgery, saying that she and her family needed time to process the news of her cancer and that she and William wanted to tell their children in a way that they'd understand.

"She and the prince needed time to process the news; she needed time to recover from surgery, and she needed time to tell the children. That was the driving force," says a palace source.

"William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," Kate noted in her video. "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 okay. 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."

source: instyle.com

What is known about Kate's cancer diagnosis

 Kate, the Princess of Wales, has disclosed that she has cancer but hasn't said what kind

Kate, the Princess of Wales, has disclosed that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy  though in a video announcement Friday, she did not say what kind of cancer or reveal details of her treatment.Here's what is known:

Kate had what was described as abdominal surgery on Jan. 16. The news wasn't announced until the next day, when Kensington Palace revealed that Kate was recovering from a planned operation.

At the time, officials said her condition wasn't cancerous but did not specify what kind of surgery, saying only that it was successful.

During the video announcement Friday, Kate said: “Tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” and that she was in the early stages of treatment.

She didn't say what kind of cancer was found, nor did she give details of her chemotherapy. The statement from Kensington Palace said Kate found out about the cancer after post-surgery tests were done.

While it's rare to find cancer after surgery for a noncancerous problem, it does happen in about 4% of such surgeries, said Dr. Yuman Fong, a surgeon at City of Hope cancer center in Southern California.

“That 4% figure represents someone who’s going to the operating room for what is thought to be benign disease” such as a procedure to remove the gallbladder or ovarian cysts, 

Fong said.Yes, cancer is rare in young adults. But in developed countries, rates of some cancers are rising among younger adults. Kate is 42.

We hate it when young people get cancer, but at the same time, they are the ones that recover best,” Fong said.

The palace statement said no details would be provided about her cancer or her treatment, other than she started it in late February.

“We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy as we all do,” the statement said.

After successful surgery, chemotherapy is often used to help kill any stray cancer cells and to prevent the cancer from coming back. Treatments have evolved, and when chemo is used now, it’s sometimes for shorter periods or lower doses than it once was.

Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet, and sometimes hair loss are side effects of chemotherapy, said Dr. Monica Avila of Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. But there are medications for improving these side effects. And cold caps that cool the scalp can prevent hair loss, Avila said.

“A patient can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month or two to recover from those effects,” Avila said. Numbness and tingling can take longer to disappear, she said.

The palace statement said that will be up to her doctors. "The princess is now on a recovery pathway,” the statement said.

___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

source: ABC News

Princess Kate having preventative chemotherapy after cancer discovered during abdominal surgery

 

Princess Catherine has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer in a personal video message, in which she told the public it had been an "incredibly tough couple of months" for her family.

The 42-year-old has been on leave from public duties after undergoing abdominal surgery in January, with her health becoming the subject of intense media and online speculation.

In her video, Catherine said the cancer was uncovered in post-operative testing and her medical team had advised her to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy.

"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," she said in the video.

"As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

"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."

The Prince and Princess of Wales wanted to wait until the Easter holidays to make this announcement, so their three children would not be at school.

"We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment," she said.

My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."

Earlier this year, Kensington Palace said it was expected that the princess would return to work after Easter. 

Catherine, Prince William and their three children will not be taking part in the annual royal tradition of attending the Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor this year.

"It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

"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," she said.

"I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal."

King Charles also revealed earlier this month that he was undergoing treatment for cancer, and would be stepping back from many public duties but would continue desk work and some meetings.

It's left Camilla, the Queen Consort, and Prince William to lead the royal family at public engagements.

 

Buckingham Palace today released a statement saying the king has been in close contact with the Princess of Wales over the last few weeks.

The king is "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did", the palace statement said.

Both the king and queen "will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time".

The Princess of Wales used her video message to thank the public "for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery".

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan also issued a statement.

Catherine has only been seen a handful of times since her surgery, mostly in paparazzi and tabloid images and video.

The palace released an image of Catherine and her three children earlier this month, but it led to a media frenzy after photo agencies pulled the photograph because it had been digitally altered. 

The last time she attended an engagement was on Christmas Day, when she met members of the public outside a church service at the Sandringham Estate.

Catherine will not return to royal duties until she has been cleared by her medical team, but is expected to attend some events when she is feeling well.

The Palace said this would not be considered a return to public life, but would allow Catherine to be present in moments that matter to her.

Cancer diagnosis follows intense scrutiny

Catherine's announcement comes after weeks of media and public scrutiny of the princess and her health, with reports hospital staff had attempted to access her medical records, a media frenzy over the edited photo, and conspiracy theories spreading online.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the princess had shown "tremendous bravery with her statement today".

"My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, Prince of Wales, the Royal Family and in particular her three children at this difficult time," he said in a statement.

"The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery.

"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."

The princess's younger brother, James Middleton, has offered his sister words of support and shared an old childhood photo of them together.

"Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together," he wrote on Instagram.

"As a family, we will climb this one with you too."

Some royal watchers have now said the news of Catherine's diagnosis is a sobering moment of reflection for the press and public.

Afua Hagan, a British royal commentator, said there had been "weeks of swirling conspiracy theories".

"From the sublime to the ridiculous, from social media to front pages of newspapers, it's honestly just been crazy," she said.

"I think people are thinking now, wow, actually, she's exactly where she said she would be, recovering at home with her children and actually, this is far more serious than we thought it would be as well. 

"I hope it's a moment of reflection for people spreading rumours on TikTok or wherever, it's definitely a moment of reflection for the British media."

Catherine used her video to tell other cancer patients, "You are not alone".

"At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer," she said.

"For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope."

Charities, doctors and members of the cancer community have praised the king for being open about his cancer.

"This has happened at the same time, probably within the space of the same few weeks, we have two principal members of the royal family diagnosed with cancer," Ms Hagan said.

"This is unprecedented, unheard of."

Read more about the Princess

 

Credit: .abc.net.Au

How Kate Middleton and Prince William Feel About the Rumors Surrounding Them: Royal Expert (Exclusive)

 

Kate Middleton and Prince William are feeling shock, anger, disbelief and frustration amid wild, over-the-top speculation and vast conspiracy theories with regard to her whereabouts and recovery progress from abdominal surgery.

 

ET spoke with royal expert Katie Nicholl about how the Prince and Princess of Wales are feeling about the swirling rumors centered around them. Nicholl tells ET that the royal couple is astute enough to understand how social media works in this day and age, but the constant attention is, plainly put, getting to them.

 

"Well, I know from the sources that I've spoken to that both William and Kate have been pretty shocked and genuinely surprised by the wild rumors that are circulating on the internet," Nicholl tells ET. "I think there's a sense of frustration, possibly even anger, certainly on William's part."

 

For his part, not only has William had to look after his wife, who is still recovering from abdominal surgery, but also the couple's three young children -- Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. On top of that, William is also trying to tune out the deafening noise, including unsubstantiated claims running rampant online and elsewhere.

"I think the suggestions that [Kate's] had, well, anything as crazy as a bad haircut that she's needed to grow out to cosmetic surgery that's gone wrong or people speculating that possibly she's in a coma, I think that has made the Prince of Wales frustrated, upset and pretty angry as well," Nicholl says. "It's been difficult for them. I think they're trying to ignore as much as they can. But, of course, this is a couple who have had to embrace social media. They've got an Instagram handle, they've got hundreds of thousands of followers. They certainly don't have their heads in the sand. They are aware of what is being written and what is being said. And I think there's a sense of frustration that they can't bring an end to it

The sad reality, Nicholl adds, is that the couple is likely very aware that the noise is not going to end. Not until the public can see with their own eyes that Kate is "back to her normal, happy, healthy self."

 

Which is what makes the video footage obtained by TMZ of Kate and William a mile from their Windsor home all the more frustrating.

"The TMZ video really should have quashed all of the fevered speculation about the Princess of Wales," Nicholl explains. "Her health, her recovery, and it simply hasn't. You would have thought that the video, which showed her walking at quite a brisk pace, carrying a shopping bag, looking pretty healthy and happy, and chatting in a very relaxed way with her husband, would have just dampened out all of the rife speculation that has really been circulating on the internet for weeks now. But, unbelievably, many of those theories are still circulating on the internet."

 

The wild speculation includes that there was a body double -- a rumor and conspiracy theory that prompted a Kate lookalike to speak out about it.

"People think that I'm Kate Middleton in the video that's come out online," said Heidi Egan, a British woman known for her resemblance of Kate. "Given my alibi that, no, it wasn't me in the video. I was actually at work."

And as if the royal couple didn't already have enough to deal with, police are now looking into a possible breach of Kate's health records, a U.K. health minister announced, after the U.K. tabloid The Mirror reported that The London Clinic -- where Kate was treated in January for a "planned abdominal surgery" -- has launched an investigation over claims that staff tried to access her private medical records. The Information Commissioner's Office, Britain's data watchdog, released a statement confirming that they are looking into the potential breach.

The potential breach of her medical records will be handled swiftly, not just

because it may have targeted the Princess of Wales, but because privacy laws are extremely strict in the U.K. But underscoring the seriousness of the situation is the fact that The London Clinic is equivalent to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles or New York-Presbyterian Hospital, two world-class facilities favored by the rich and famous.

"The London Clinic will be doing everything it can to assure its patients, many of whom are high profile," says Nicholl while referencing former U.K. Prime Minster David Cameron, who was born at that hospital. Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy Jr. also was treated there, as are many royals, celebrities and VIPs who insist on discretion even more so.

"The big challenge here is for The London Clinic and maintaining its standards and its reputation as being one of the most discreet clinics in London, when clearly there was a major security breach attempted during Katherine's stay," Nicholl says.

The potential breach is reminiscent of a 2012 incident, when Australian pranksters managed to get patched through to Kate's doctors amid her receiving treatment for severe nausea and vomiting at London's King Edward VII Hospital while she was pregnant with Prince George.

While the prank only resulted in the pranksters getting transferred to Kate's doctors, that ordeal ended in tragedy, when the nurse who transferred the call took her own life in 2014.

Source:etonline.com

 

Queen Elizabeth II

 

Elizabeth II was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states over the course of her lifetime and remained the monarch of 15 realms by the time of her death. 

Born: 21 April 1926, Bruton Street, London,United Kingdom 

Died: 8 September 2022 (age 96 years),  Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom

Children:   Charles III, Prince Andrew, Duke of york,Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Prince of Edinburgh            

Spouse: Prince Philip (m. 1947–2021)

Parents: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, George VII 

Grandchildren:  

Peter Phillips (46)  Zara Tindall (42).Prince William (41) Prince of Wales

Prince Harry (39)  Duke of Sussex    Princess Beatrice (35  Princess Eugenie (33) Lady Louise Windsor (20)  James, Earl of Wessex (16)

 

                       13 Great Grand children

:   

 Zara Tindall,   Princess Eugenie  Peter Phillips, Isla Phillips. .Prince George.Mia Tindall.  Princess Charlotte  Prince Louis. ...Lena Tindall. ...Prince Archie Harrison. ...August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.Archie Mountbatten-Windsor    Lilbet Mountbatten Windsor

 Short biography of Queen Elizabeth II

Princess Elizabeth was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary at Buckingham Palace on 29 May that year.

Lilibet

 

Lilibet or Lillibet is a feminine given name of English or Welsh origin. It is often a nickname for the given name Elizabeth. It was the childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth II, who called herself Lilibet when she was a toddler because she had difficulty pronouncing her full name.

Queen Elizabeth II, who died September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, was the longest-serving monarch in British history. While she was not in direct line for the throne at birth, she became heir apparent at the age of 10 when the abdication of King Edward VIII, her uncle, made her father the monarch.

Princess Elizabeth was educated at home. She studied constitutional history and law as preparation for her future role as monarch, was instructed in religion by the Archbishop of Canterbury and learned French from a number of French and Belgian governesses. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip first met in 1934.

What were Queen Elizabeth's hobbies?

She had many hobbies.

These included horse riding, pigeon racing and football – she was an Arsenal supporter!

 

Did Queen Elizabeth have a favorite child?

It  is widely reported that Prince Andrew was the Queen's favorite child. Prince Edward was Prince Philip's favorite child, after his daughter, Princess Anne, of course. He actually spent a lot of time with Prince Edward from his childhood and he was in the room when the Queen gave birth to him.

What did the queen like to eatThe queen's preference for game meats even extended to more casual meals; she was, reportedly, a big fan of hamburgers made with ground venison. She usually skipped any potatoes, pastas or grains at her evening repast, but almost always had room for dessert.

Did the Queen like gardening?

She was a regular guest of honour at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and was always keen to talk to exhibitors and designers, revealing a passion for horticulture that she enjoyed applying to her own gardens.

What did Queen Elizabeth enjoy as a child?

Much of the Her Majesty's childhood was spent surrounded by her family, including her younger sister Princess Margaret, and their many animals. Like any other child or teenager, she enjoyed playing games, learning the piano and even performing in plays.

How old was Elizabeth when she became Queen Elizabeth the second?Following the sad death of her father in 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II aged just 25, and this year is celebrating 70 years on the throne - a first in British history.

 

 

 

 

Harry and William's 'marriages to very different women' changed their relationship forever

There was a time when Prince William was very close to his brother Prince Harry, but that's all believed to have changed following tension between their wives

Price Harry and Prince William were very close growing up, but the brothers have become estranged in recent years.

The  Duke of Sussex has been very vocal about  the breakdown of his relationship with his brother, even accusing William of "screaming and shouting" at him during one dramatic showdown. And it's not just the Prince of Wales Harry has taken aim at.

He's also hit out at William's wife Princess Kate  and accused her of making  Meghan Markle cry just days before the  Sussexes tied the knot. Meghan and Kate are not close and it's thought this tension has rubbed off on Harry and William.

Royal expert and author Tom Quinn told The Mirror: "It’s extraordinary when you think how close William and Harry were as children, and in their early teens, but their marriages, to very different women, changed the chemistry of the relationship, and there is no going back.

"Growing up in the royal family with all the deference the two boys experienced has produced two very proud men – neither is prepared to back down and be the first to extend an olive branch. This is partly because they both feel special - as if being a member of the royal family is an achievement rather than a matter of the luck of birth, but it also has to do with losing their mother when they were so young."

Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, while her driver was fleeing paparazzi. At the time, William was 15 years old, while Harry was just 12.

Tom said: "I spoke to a former Kensington Palace staffer who said both William and Harry's emotional development stopped when their mother died. So, they don't have the emotional maturity now to let bygones be bygones."

William and Harry last appeared in public at the same time during King Charles's Coronation last May. However, the pair didn't interact at the ceremony. Harry also didn't see his brother when he made a brief return to the UK last month.

The Duke of Sussex flew to London from California after his father King Charles was diagnosed with cancer. The pair sat down for a half-hour conversation, but Harry and William didn't reunite.

A source told The Mirror there was "nothing in the diary" for them to meet, with William reportedly focusing completely on Princess Kate's surgery recovery. However, another insider said Harry would have welcomed the chance to see his brother if possible. They said: "The Duke's primary reason to travel to the UK is to visit his father. If the opportunity were to arise to see the Prince of Wales then the Duke would have gladly accepted it."

Source: Daily Mirror.UK