Kate Middleton was greatly touched by the support after announcing her cancer diagnosis

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said on Saturday that Kate Middleton, the British Princess of Wales, and her husband, Prince William, were “deeply touched” by the messages of support she had received since announcing her cancer diagnosis.

Kate Middleton said on Friday that she is undergoing preventive chemotherapy after tests performed after major abdominal surgery in January revealed that she had cancer.

The 42-year-old wife of Crown Prince William described the cancer discovery as a “huge shock.” This news comes as a new health blow to the British royal family: King Charles is also undergoing treatment for cancer.

Kate Middleton's statement via video message, filmed at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, sparked an outpouring of support from well-wishers.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said in a statement: “The Prince and Princess have been deeply touched by the kind messages people have sent here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’s message.”

“They have been extremely touched by the public’s warmth and support and are grateful that their request for privacy is understood at this time.”

Kate Middleton's announcement on Friday dominated the front pages of British newspapers on Saturday, with supportive messages coupled with criticism of those who have speculated about her health in recent weeks.

The public also showed its support.

Lawyer Simon Davis said: “Given the extraordinary dignity that Kate Middleton has shown, and her attempt to hold the royal family together, I hope that what the media will do now is give her and her family the privacy and respect they deserve.” 64, outside the garden of Kensington Palace in London.

“It's good that she said what's going on because I think it helps a lot of people who are experiencing this,” said Sarah MacDonald-Brown, a 50-year-old art gallery owner.

Tourist Karen Ferguson (42 years old) also expressed her admiration for the princess, who is still known by her maiden name, Kate Middleton.

“It's great that she came out and made a public statement so people know she's OK, and what's going on. I think we're all sending our well wishes, especially to her little ones.”

One of the most personal messages of support came from Kate Middleton's brother, James Middleton.

He posted a childhood photo of himself and his sister on Instagram and wrote: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this mountain with you too.”

Front pages

The Sun newspaper wrote on its front page: “Kate, you are not alone,” saying that she had received “an enormous outpouring of love and support.” Rival Daily Mirror went with “Kate reveals cancer shock” and shared her notes on how she had to explain the news to her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The Daily Telegraph quoted the princess as saying: “The cancer has been a huge shock,” but noted that she said she “will be fine.”

The Daily Mail took a dig at the people who had speculated on her authenticity, asking: “How do all these vile online trolls feel now?”

Rumors and gossip have abounded on social media, newspapers and even some American talk shows since Kate Middleton's surgery in January, although her office at Kensington Palace announced at the time that she would be absent from royal engagements while she recovered.

Messages of support for Kate Middleton poured in on Friday, including from King Charles, Prince Harry, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and US President Joe Biden.

Sunak said Kate Middleton “showed enormous courage” in her statement, adding that she had been “treated unfairly by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.”

Kate Middleton's diagnosis was also big news internationally.

“Catherine’s cancer diagnosis puts the UK royals on uncertain ground,” the New York Times said, noting that the serious health concerns of both the king and Kate Middleton are adding to the pressures of the already shrinking monarchy.

King Charles, who took the throne in September 2022 after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, underwent corrective surgery for an enlarged prostate in the same hospital as Kate Middleton last January.

Then Buckingham Palace revealed in February that the 75-year-old royal was to undergo treatment for cancer, meaning he had to postpone his public royal duties.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)