British singer Jessie J’s confession about Princess Catherine meeting: ‘Briefed not to’
British singer Jessie J admitted in a TV interview that she’d defied direct orders when she met the Princess of Wales recently.
IN LONDON
Jessie J has confessed to breaking a major royal rule during her recent meeting with the Princess of Wales.
The pair made headlines around the world when they shared an impromptu hug at the Royal Variety Performance in London on November 19 – but the British singer has now told UK television program This Morning that she’d been specifically “briefed not to”.
“But … I just saw a mum that has also gone through cancer publicly, and I just wanted to give her a hug,” the Price Tag singer and mother-of-one explained.
“It was as simple as that. I didn’t see her as the Princess of Wales, I mean obviously I did, and I was respectful … I said to her, ‘Can I give you a hug?’ and she received it.”
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At the time, reporters at the Royal Variety Performance reported that Jessie – real name Jessica Cornish – had told the princess: “I just had breast cancer. I just want to give you a hug. Cancer really puts life into perspective.”
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Kate, 43, revealed early last year that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, subsequently undergoing chemotherapy while stepping back from official duties. The royal, who shares three children with Prince William, has since returned to royal duties, revealing in January that she was in remission.
Meanwhile, Jessie, 37, announced to fans in June that doctors had discovered she had early-stage breast cancer a few months earlier and would be undergoing a mastectomy.
Just weeks later, following the operation, she confirmed in an Instagram post that the “cancer has all gone”.
Speaking on This Morning on Wednesday, Jessie said she was “feeling good”.
“It’s been a lovely chance to really show that side of my personality, that I am the kind of person that in hard times … put your umbrella up and just keep walking through the rain,” said Jessie.
“My blessings outweigh anything that’s happened. And the beauty of all of this is that I’ve had quality time with my mom, I’m more present as a parent … I’m here.
“Also, I’ve been able to have these beautiful connective talks with people, and my friends have checked their breasts and gone, ‘I found something, and I’m going to get it looked at,’ that would never have [happened] before.
“I would never have thought that I would have found a lump and gone and it be cancer, but it was. And you face it, and we move through positivity, and I’m just grateful that I didn’t have chemotherapy. My story was very simple in the best way it could have been.”
Meanwhile, in a video announcing she had completed chemotherapy last September, Kate admitted the process had been “incredibly tough” for their family.
“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,” she said in the emotional statement.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.
“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.
“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.”
Originally published as British singer Jessie J’s confession about Princess Catherine meeting: ‘Briefed not to’
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