‘Protect mode’: Kate Middleton’s first big move following shock cancer news

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s latest move is all about their three children as they move forward as a family.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to be retreating to their home in Norfolk, England, where they will focus on their family as she prepares her brave fight against cancer.

Hours after the Princess of Wales shared her diagnosis with the world on Saturday morning, the couple and their three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — reportedly boarded a helicopter headed for their countryside residence, Amner Hall.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on December 8. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It is believed the couple have gone into “protect mode” for their children and will cocoon themselves at their estate for the next three weeks on an extended Easter break.

The family are not expected to attend the Easter church service this weekend in Windsor, with William not scheduled to resume royal duties until April 17.

Kate’s announcement on Saturday was also no coincidence. She reportedly chose that day to share her news as it coincided with the end of school term.

“It was actually, I understand, that the Princess made the decision two weeks ago that she was going to do this public statement,” The Sun’s editor Victoria Newton told BBC radio.

The royal couple are said to be in “protect mode” now with their children. Picture: @princesscatherineofwales/Instagram

The family have retreated to Norfolk as Kate receives treatment. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“The key thing for her as a mother, the priority was protecting those three children. She didn’t want them going to school, being asked even more than they already were.

“They were already being affected at school, so it was always her plan that she would wait until the last day of term. Obviously they’ve endured an incredible amount of social media speculation which has been really hard for them to handle, but the priority for her was always those children.”

The princess’ speech was also said to be written by Kate herself, and she chose to be in the video alone as she wanted to own her illness while supporting other people fighting cancer.

“It allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly, have always been with her and her family and who don’t buy into the noise and gossip,” a source told The Sunday Times.

“It was all her, she wrote every word of it, it came together very quickly.”

Originally published as ‘Protect mode’: Kate Middleton’s first big move following shock cancer news