King Charles tonight said he is ‘so proud’ of the Princess of Wales ‘for her courage’ in revealing her cancer diagnosis and remains in the ‘closest contact’ with her.

The monarch, 75, is continuing his battle with cancer as Kate, 42, revealed she is also fighting the disease in an unprecedented video address.

Sharing Charles’ reaction to the shocking news, Buckingham Palace said: ‘His Majesty is ”so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did”.

‘Following their time in hospital together, HM has ”remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks”.

‘Both Their Majesties ”will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time”.’

+8
View gallery

King Charles greets Kate during an event at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2021

+8
View galleryThe King is continuing his battle with cancer as his ‘beloved daughter-in-law’ the Princess of Wales revealed she is also fighting the diseaseKate’s cancer announcement marks the latest blow to the royal family over the past year, including the King also being diagnosed with the disease.

The princess was initially admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but cancer was found after a successful operation.

Charles was admitted to hospital just days after Kate, also for a procedure deemed unrelated to cancer.

In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, which is not prostate cancer, that was discovered while the King was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate.

The King has postponed public-facing duties but is said to be continuing to work behind the scenes on his red boxes – his state business and official papers.

Sarah, Duchess of York, became the third royal in quick succession to announce a medical procedure at the beginning of 2024, when she revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

The princess is now on what has been described as a ‘recovery pathway’ having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

+8
View gallery

Charles yesterday met Mbelwa Kairuki, High Commissioner for Tanzania, at Buckingham Palace

+8
View galleryKing Charles III, himself undergoing treatment for cancer, and is pictured arriving at Clarence House last week

Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in ‘good spirits and focused on her recovery’.

‘She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,’ a spokesman said. ‘She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.’

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts – although that has been upsetting – but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

In her video statement the Princess, dressed casually in a striped Breton top and jeans, said: ‘I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. 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.

‘In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

+8
View gallery

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

‘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. 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 ok.

‘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. 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.

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

Even amidst her own personal anguish, there was a message for fellow cancer sufferers: ‘At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.’