The touching reason behind the timing of Princess Catherine's video message announcing she is battling cancer has been revealed.
The Princess of Wales, 42, addressed the nation on Friday (March 22), sharing a video message confirming that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
The palace had initially stated that the major surgery was not related to cancer and that the Princess would return to her duties after Easter, however, it was later found that "cancer had been present".
She told the public that she was in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy and that her focus was on making a full recovery.
Watch her full message below:
It has since been revealed that the reason Princess Catherine chose Friday evening to share her message, was in order to make the news easier on her three young children.
According to reports, Catherine opted to share the news on the Friday before the Easter holidays so that her children would not need to face any extra attention while at school.
Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, have finished school for the holidays and will spend the next few weeks at home with their parents before returning to school.
The timing of the announcement was specifically chosen to let the attention around their mother die down before they have to face their peers on the playground.
In her statement, Catherine told the public: "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."
She added: "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."
The Princess added that her husband, Prince William, has been a "great source of comfort and reassurance too", adding: "As is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means much to us both."
She then asked for her privacy to be respected as she continues with her treatment and recovery, adding: "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."
We wish Princess Catherine well with her treatment and continued recovery.
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