Princess of Wales says she is receiving chemotherapy after cancer 'shock'

Catherine releases video message after intense social media speculation, rumours

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Catherine, Britain's Princess of Wales, said on March 22 that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy as tests taken after she had major abdominal surgery in January revealed that cancer had been present.

The former Kate Middleton, the 42-year-old wife of heir to the throne Prince William, called the cancer discovery a "huge shock".

The news comes as a fresh health blow to the British royal family; King Charles is also undergoing treatment for cancer.

The Princess spent two weeks in hospital in January after undergoing what her office said at the time was successful planned surgery for an unspecified but non-cancerous condition.

However, in a video message, she said subsequent tests had revealed that cancer had been found. She said she was well and getting stronger.

"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 said.

She was dressed in jeans and a jumper and looked pale and tired in the video, which was filmed on March 20.

"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." Following her operation, the palace had said the Princess would not return to official duties until after Easter, which falls on March 31. But her months-long absence from public life provoked intense speculation and wild rumours on social media.

King Charles, 75, underwent a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital as the Princess in January. Buckingham Palace then revealed in February that he was to have treatment for cancer, meaning he has had to postpone his public royal duties.