Prince William breaks silence after Princess Catherine releases emotional cancer video

Prince William has revealed more about Princess Catherine’s cancer battle after she revealed she had completed chemotherapy in a heartwarming video.

Prince William has spoken out for the first time after Princess Catherine posted an emotional video message about her cancer battle, saying his wife “still had a long way to go”.

The future king made his comments as he greeted well-wishers during a solo appearance in Wales.

“It’s good news but there is still a long way to go,” he told royal fans outside a primary school in Llanelli, according to reporters covering the royal’s visit.

Prince William visits the Swiss Valley Community Primary School in Llanelli, Wales, to meet pupils who took part in the 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod. Picture: AFP

Prince William, who is still sporting his headline-making beard, also expressed gratitude for the public’s support, saying, “thank you very much,” and “very much appreciated.”

It came after Princess Catherine delivered a touching message announcing she had completed her chemotherapy and was in remission.

The royal greets a young fan in Llanelli, Wales. Picture: AFP

Prince William poses for selfies during his visit to Wales. Picture: Getty Images

The royal was warmly greeted in Wales. Picture: Getty Images

Eagle-eyed royal fans noted that the much-loved royal had swapped out her engagement ring, which once belonged to William’s mother Princess Diana, for a stunning eternity band.

The thick gold ring appeared to be set with diamonds and sapphires was spotted once before when Princess Catherine wore it as she congratulated Team GB during the Paris Olympics.

In her moving video message about her cancer battle, the mother of three revealed how “incredibly tough” the cancer diagnosis has been on her family.

Princess Catherine's eternity band can be seen in the footage. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

Joined by William and their children George, Charlotte, and Louis, the royal was seen in the footage hiking through a forest as she recounted how all their lives changed “in an instant”.

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,” she said.

“Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”

MEGHAN AND HARRY’S TONE DEAF MOVE

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dropped a teaser for their latest Netflix series just hours after Princess Catherine released her stunning cancer recovery video.

In a case of perhaps questionable timing, the Sussexes released images while revealing that the new series about polo will be titled POLO and will premiere in December.

The series, created by Archewell Productions, follows the lives of players of the elite sport.

The publicity images show polo players in action as well as behind the scenes.

POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport.

From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures, premiering this December only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/R1uUnXsf0v

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) September 9, 2024

Some royal fans were less than impressed with Harry and Meghan’s timing, with one posting on X: “You drop this just as Princess Catherine releases a video about her cancer treatment being finished.”

Another wrote: “Did Archewell insist you release this pointless update three months early because the Princess of Wales shared her update earlier?”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have raised eyebrows with the timing of their latest Netflix announcement. Picture: AFP

One critic highlighted the elitist aspect of the sport, writing on X: “With all that is going on in the world, do we really want to see how the elite waste their money on hitting a ball while on horseback when so many in the world are struggling to survive?”

In another case of bad timing, the Sussexes attracted controversy last June when their close friend, polo player Nacho Figueras, posted a picture of a pot of raspberry jam from the Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle label American Riviera Orchard.

The post came just hours before Princess Catherine’s triumphant return to the spotlight at Trooping the Colour amid her cancer battle.

‘NINE MONTHS’: KATE REVEALS TOUGH BATTLE

While Princess Catherine underwent surgery in January and announced that she had cancer in March, her revelation in her video message that the “last nine months” had been tough suggests she first succumbed to the illness in early December. The exact cancer has never been disclosed.

“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” she said.

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales

As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.

The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an… pic.twitter.com/9S1W8sDHUL

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2024

Princess Catherine and Prince William are “grateful” for the help they’ve received over the past nine months. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

Princess Catherine with George and Louis after the “incredibly tough” cancer battle. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

Princess Catherine with daughter Charlotte. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

Princess Catherine announced she is “cancer free” in a heartfelt video message. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

A palace source said the King “of course” ’considers the details in today’s announcement to be wonderful news.

“He considers it wonderful news and will continue to offer all love, thoughts and support to The Princess on her continued path to full recovery,” the palace source said.

The family video is a rare public appearance for the Princess, who has been seen in person only at the Trooping the Colour and the men’s Wimbledon final over the summer.

She said in a June Instagram video that her cancer treatment was making “good progress”, and in her latest health update said that the “complex” cancer journey had been “scary and unpredictable for everyone”.

“Especially those closest to you,” she added.

“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”

Prince William and Princess Catherine with children George, Charlotte and Louis. Picture: Kensington Palace

Princess Catherine announced the end of chemotherapy after an “incredibly tough” nine months. Picture: Kensington Palace

Princess Catherine is set to return to official public duties after revealing she has finished chemotherapy. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

Her next public appearance could come as soon as November, if not earlier Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

Children George, Charlotte, and Louis appear happy and carefree in the video, asking “Is this filming” and saying “hello” to the camera. Prince William, however, seems reflective in sombre silence as his wife gives the most detail yet about the cancer battle.

Both Princess Catherine and Prince William were “so grateful” for the support from those helping with “kindness, empathy and compassion” that has been “truly humbling”.

“With humility, it also brings you face-to-face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything,” she said.

Princess Catherine and Princess William are closer than ever after the cancer diagnosis changed their lives in an “instant”. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

The Prince and Princess of Wales were humbled by the outpouring of support. Picture: @KensingtonRoyal on X

CATHERINE’S NEXT STEPS

Now, however, Princess Catherine said she is looking forward to being back at work and undertaking more public engagements in the coming months “when I can”.

Princess Catherine has been planning the “gradual” next steps with regular meetings from her Adelaide Cottage home with private secretary, Tom White, assistant private secretary, Natalie Burrows, and communications secretary, Lee Thompson, according to The Sunday Times.

If all goes well, her next public appearance is expected to be on November 10, local time, to join King Charles and the royal family at the Cenotaph for the National Service of Remembrance.

She’s also understood to have her aides underway on planning the princess’s annual “Together at Christmas” carol service at Westminster Abby in December.

The return to the annual Christmas carols would bring her year of cancer treatment full circle, as her appearance at the 2023 event on December 8 became one of her last public outings. She was seen again on Christmas Day before Kensington Palace announced in January that she underwent “abdominal surgery” and would not resume public duties.

“Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life,” Princess Catherine said.

“To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey — I remain with you, side-by-side, hand-in-hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright,” she added.

CATHERINE AND FAMILY HAPPY, SAYS BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT

Dr Louise Mahler, an expert in communication and body language, said of the video the whole family appeared happy.

“Kate is the best of the best,” Mahler said.

“Like watching a true movie star giving an outstanding performance, I found myself immersed in this film with floods of tears for her as an individual, as a partner to William, as a mother to her gorgeous children and as a person of public duty.”

“There are lots of touching moments, kissing, cuddling, smiling, and laughing with the care and love shared between them obvious to all.”

“The whole family look so happy, even if Kate is a little pensive at times and William looking like it’s all been an incredible trial. All perfectly natural as it has been an ordeal, and as a family and as a couple they have come through brilliantly.”