The One Question About Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis She Never Addressed

After many weeks of speculation about where Kate Middleton has been and what happened to her after being seemingly missing since her planned abdominal surgery in January 2024, she finally revealed to the public that she had been diagnosed with cancer. In a video shared on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, the 42-year-old Princess of Wales started by thanking everyone for their support. 

"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," she said to the camera directly. Kate then explained that her doctors didn't think her condition was related to cancer when she was in the hospital for her abdominal surgery, but after further testing, evidence of cancer was found. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy, and I'm now in the early stages of that treatment," the princess continued. She shared that she and Prince William took their time to fill in their three children — George, Charlotte, and Louis — and let them know that she would be okay. She then asked the public for privacy while she navigates her treatment.

While Kate put to rest once and for all the wild rumors that her disappearance was caused by a secret pregnancy or a BBL — or that she was being phased out of the royal picture in favor of a mistress — she kept one detail (understandably) private. 

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024

We understand that revealing details of such a personal health diagnosis can take time, but Kate Middleton only gave us just enough information to quell earlier conspiracies. So what type of cancer she had — or has (and if it's related to her abdomen) remains a mystery. Kate also shared that the doctors "found" cancer, but does this mean the princess is now cancer-free? And that the chemotherapy is a fully preventative measure? Kate did use the word "preventative," after all.

Of course, chemotherapy can take a big toll on the body. Kate could experience side effects like general fatigue, a loss of appetite, and vomiting, and even develop additional conditions like anemia or be more susceptible to infection. With so much changing in her body simultaneously, Kate taking time to herself makes sense, but when you're a royal, there are certain expectations. Royal funding comes from the public, and the royals directly represent their citizens. Though asking for privacy is understandable on a human level, it can be problematic on a governmental level. Some are going to want to know what type of cancer she's fighting and what stage it's in. After all, she and William, Prince of Wales, could become king and queen sooner than later.