CANCER LATEST NEWS ABDOMINAL SURGERY CHEMOTHERAPY CATHERINE DNA INFECTED ROYAL BLOOLINE KATE MIDDLETON PRINCESS OF WALES QUEEN IN WAITING VICTIM AT AGE 40 ENDEMIC POLLUTION AIR AND FOOD PLASTICS DIESEL PARTICULATES CAUSES CARCINOGENS TO AVOID FOR GEORGE CHARLOTTE AND LOUIS

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton; 9 January 1982) is a member of the British royal family. Her husband, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is expected to become king of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms, making Catherine a likely future queen consort.

Catherine grew up in Chapel Row, a village near Newbury, Berkshire, England. She studied art history in Scotland at the University of St Andrews, where she met William in 2001. Their engagement was announced in November 2010. They married on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

The announcement to the world that Catherine (or Kate, as she is better known) has cancer at just over 40, came as a shock to many, but not to those who have been warning about increasing rates of plastic and air pollution. Where, plastic as micro particles have invaded our oceans, infecting fish with carcinogenic chemicals, that we eat, having been bio-magnified in toxicity, alongside carcinogenic diesel particulates that we breathe in, especially in cities and large towns, a major cause of lung cancer. And of course, the royal family spend a lot of time in London. And probably eat a lot of fish. Other factors lead to higher incidences of cancer in under 50s, which is said to be 80% higher than in past decades.

The conclusion must be that we are slowly poisoning ourselves. The world is becoming more toxic as we abuse our positions as the only intelligent life in the Universe, on a planet that is unique. And yet here we are soiling the oceans and skies, with blinkered eyes on profits from petroleum, and squeezing the electorate for taxes, for services that are not being provided. An obvious example of which is the increasing number of potholes in British roads, where successive governments only spend 5% of our road fund licences on roads. The rest goes to pay pensions funds and armies of civil servants, MPs and council officials that are not necessary to run the country. And of course, procurement fraud.

This news came shortly after King Charles, announced that he had an enlarged prostate, and other unspecified cancer, about which he is receiving treatment.

CNN 23 MARCH 2024 - KATE'S CANCER REVELATION THROWS ROYAL FAMILY INTO FRESH TURMOIL

The announcement from Catherine, Princess of Wales that she has started chemotherapy for cancer and is in the “early stages of that treatment” was a bolt from the blue.

As Britain woke up on Saturday morning, the tone of every major newspaper was of concern. The Times struck a reassuring note with its front page headline, “Princess reveals her cancer and says: I’m going to be OK.” The FT Weekend opted for “Kate puts end to speculation” while The Sun tabloid told the princess, “KATE, YOU ARE NOT ALONE”

The 42-year-old princess revealed her cancer battle a day earlier in an emotional video statement, after weeks of relentless scrutiny over her health.

It was a bold move. This is someone who gets nervous speaking in front of cameras, let alone about such a deeply personal matter. But the video – simply shot, on a bench in front of a spray of spring foliage – showed Kate earnestly sharing her story on her own terms and in her own words.

It was powerful to hear her speak so plainly and openly about what she is experiencing. That decision to connect with the public by herself would have been a decision she made in consultation with her husband, Prince William, who is heir to the British throne.

The princess acknowledged that it has been a challenging few weeks. Interest in Kate – who vanished from view at Christmas – persisted this week after reports emerged that staff at the hospital where she was being treated in January may have tried to illegally access her private medical notes. It remains unclear if the alleged data breach was successful but three people are said to be under investigation.

That somber development had followed an unprecedented hurricane of unfounded conspiracy theories which blew up in the absence of specifics surrounding her surgery in January, supercharged by William’s unusual absence from his godfather’s memorial in late February and the admission by Kate that she had edited a photograph released by the family to mark Mother’s Day in the UK earlier this month.

The disclosure about her health puts a new perspective on that photo – and the events of the past few weeks. The official line is that she had been recovering from abdominal surgery, when the reality was a lot more serious than that. Yet again, the royal family could face some difficult questions about what they chose to reveal to the public, and when.

Beyond that, It is an extraordinary moment for the British monarchy. The institution is now facing one of its biggest crises in recent memory, with two of its most senior family members essentially out of action. It also leaves Prince William and Queen Camilla to front the institution while caring for their spouses.

The cancer diagnosis of the future Queen comes on the heels of King Charles III’s own health battle, which was revealed in early February – less than a year after his coronation. The 75-year-old monarch also made the decision to temporarily step away from public duties as he undergoes cancer treatment (though he continues his constitutional obligations behind the scenes).

With Britain still coming to terms with the King’s diagnosis, it is perhaps even more shocking to learn of Kate’s condition given her relative youth. To her devoted supporters, she is the epitome of good health, beauty and perfection. Since marrying into the family in 2011, she has rarely put a foot wrong and proven herself to be a dependable figure of “the firm.” That dependability has now been replaced by vulnerability, unsettling a steadfast institution.

Many remember how she stood outside the Lindo Wing at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital – the de facto maternity ward for royal births – hours after giving birth to each of her three children. She is beloved for her poise and timeless elegance, making her one of the most popular faces of the family.

Her health struggle is an abrupt reminder that while she is a public servant and a brand, she is also human and vulnerable.

Many of the bizarre and outlandish conspiracies that have been recently thrown around with little regard dehumanized her. She became a commodity of the media, much like the previous holder of her title - Diana, the late Princess of Wales.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak succinctly summed up what many are now thinking moment’s after Kate’s revelation.

“In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media,” he said in a statement on Friday night.

He said the Princess of Wales has the “love and support of the whole country” and urged for her to be “afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.”

Kate had been expected to return to official duties after Easter, however she will postpone her return until she has been cleared to do so by her medical team, a royal source told CNN on Friday. The source added she may make ad hoc appearances if she can find the strength. On those occasions, the decision to attend will be made at the last-minute and take people by surprise.

Apart from that, we don’t expect any Kensington Palace updates unless her condition suddenly improves or worsens. The palace is also not expected to reveal any further medical details such as the type of cancer or what stage it is.

From the institution’s view, the deal is: You, the public, have the video so you have the fullest health update the institution can offer. In return, allow the family some time to recover and rebuild.

The line of succession is now under extreme pressure from the very top. Prince William – who Kate praised as “a great source of comfort and reassurance” – will continue to juggle caring for his wife and children while maintaining his public schedule.

He will lean on the support from Queen Camilla and the seven other lesser-known working royals but as next-in-line to the throne, his presence out and about is needed to reassure the nation that the Crown is strong.

What was clear in Kate’s video message was that the couple’s priority is their family. They both understood that her news would generate huge public interest, but her words made it clear that they are trying to preserve some semblance of normality for their children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

CNN understands the Prince and Princess of Wales wanted to wait for their young children to be out of school for the Easter holidays before making the announcement.

Kate is said to be in good spirits and firmly focused on her recovery but in the heartfelt statement, she called on the public to “understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy.”

That space will be the challenge ahead for international media – the majority of which will want to be sensitive and respectful to the princess. Here in the UK, the press will be conscious of Kate’s request but whether that will be the case for international paparazzi remains to be seen.

While the latest developments will not quash all the online hysteria surrounding the princess, having a clearer timeline of what Kate’s been going through since January has already gone some way in taking the edge off some of the more outlandish speculation.

Many of those who fell down the royal rabbit hole in recent days quickly replaced their social videos with apologies and best wishes.

There has been an outpouring of support and sympathy for Kate since she shared what she is going through, and perhaps her words will help reset how the world responds when wild conspiracy theories run rampant on social media.

KATES'S CANCER VIDEO MESSAGE - FULL TRANSCRIPT

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.

“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.

“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.”

KATE'S CHILDREN

Kate and William have three children: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5.

A royal source told CNN that Kate began chemotherapy in late February, and that she and William had waited until now to reveal her condition because Friday was the day their children began their Easter school holidays.

“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,” she said in the video message.

Kate did not say what type of cancer she had been diagnosed with.

Preventative chemotherapy is often used after surgery as an “adjuvant” therapy, to weaken the chances of cancer returning, Dr. Karen Knudsen, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, told CNN.

She had been expected to return to official duties after Easter, but will now postpone further work until she has been cleared to do so by her medical team, the source said.

WHAT HAS THE REACTION BEEN?

King Charles said he is “so proud” of Catherine, his daughter-in-law, for “her courage in speaking as she did” in sharing her cancer diagnosis, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said late Friday.

Charles said he “remained in the closest contact” with Kate since they received treatment at the same London hospital, and that he and Queen Camilla will “continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Kate’s statement showed “tremendous bravery,” and added that she had been “unfairly treated” during weeks of “intense scrutiny” by the press and on social media.

The White House said the Biden administration was “incredibly sad to hear of the news” and wished her a full recovery.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”

WHEN WAS KATE FIRST HOSPITALIZED

Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that the princess would spend two weeks recovering in hospital after successfully undergoing planned abdominal surgery.

It was unclear what the surgery was for, but the palace said Kate was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter, which falls this year on March 31.

Kate was discharged from the London Clinic – a private hospital near Regent’s Park in the center of the UK capital – on January 29. She returned home to Windsor, west of London, to continue her recovery.

Charles was discharged from the same private hospital on the same day as Kate, after receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace announced on February 6 that he was diagnosed with cancer.

WHAT HAPPENED TO KATE AFTER LEAVING HOSPITAL?

Kate’s health and whereabouts became the subject of frenzied speculation, despite the palace reiterating that it had “made clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery” and that the public should not expect to see her until after Easter.

Kate was first seen in public earlier this month after she was spotted in Windsor wearing dark sunglasses and sitting in the front passenger seat of a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

CNN decided not to publish the paparazzi shot, and neither did most major British media organizations, as the press weighed public fascination in Kate’s health with the need to respect privacy laws.

WHAT ABOUT THE MOTHER'S DAY PHOTOGRAPH?

Speculation about Kate’s health continued, putting pressure on the family to reveal more details.

In what appeared to be an attempt to put an end to rumors, Kate published an official photograph of her and her three children – George, Charlotte and Louis – on Mother’s Day, which was marked in the UK on March 10.

But instead of ending the speculation, it fueled it instead, after members of the public swiftly noticed several irregularities about the image.

Why was Charlotte’s sleeve cuff blurred? And why was her skirt at a strange angle? Why was Kate’s zipper misaligned? Where was her ring? And why did the children have their fingers crossed?

Multiple global news agencies recalled the image from circulation hours later, citing manipulation concerns.

After a day of more amateur sleuthing, Kate admitted that she had edited the photograph, and apologized.

“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused,” Kate wrote on X, formerly Twitter, the next day.

She was later photographed alongside her husband in a car departing Windsor Castle.

WHY IS THERE AN INVESTIGATION INVOLVING THE HOSPITAL?

The UK’s data watchdog said earlier this week that it is “assessing” reports that a staff member at the London Clinic allegedly tried to access Kate’s private medical records.

The Daily Mirror tabloid reported that the hospital had launched a probe into the allegations that the princess’s confidentiality had been breached.

In a statement, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is the UK’s independent data regulator, confirmed it had “received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.”

The London Clinic said on Wednesday that “all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.”

The alleged incident is not the first time Kate’s medical privacy has been been the subject of concern. While the princess was pregnant with her first child in 2012, an Australian radio station prank-called the hospital where she was receiving care, and tricked a nurse into revealing private medical information, which was then broadcast.