Kate Middleton and Her Cancer Diagnosis: A Complete Timeline

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Following months of speculation, Kate Middleton revealed she has been undergoing treatment for cancer since her “planned” abdominal surgery in January.

This comes after months of internet conspiracy theories about the Princess of Wales’s health and whereabouts, fueled by the royal family’s lack of clarity, vague updates, and a particularly odd photo editing scandal in mid-March.

So to separate fact from fabrication, here’s everything that’s actually been reported and/or verified about the mom of three’s health, starting with the latest updates:

March 22, 2024: Kate Middleton releases a video statement revealing her cancer diagnosis. “In January I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time it was thought that my condition was noncancerous,” she said, in part. “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’m now in the early stages of that treatment.”

Regarding all the secrecy, Middleton shared that she has been processing her diagnosis privately for the sake of her children. “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’m going to be okay,” she said. “As I’ve 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. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support, and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”

Though she thanked the public for their “messages of support,” Middleton has asked for “time, space, and privacy” while she completes her cancer treatments. “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I’m able but for now I must focus on making a full recovery,” she said. You can read the full statement here.

March 21, 2024: Kate Middleton has reportedly been working from home during her recovery. According to a new report from The Telegraph, the Princess of Wales has been helping plan a new campaign for the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. “The princess has been kept updated throughout the process,” a spokesperson told the publication.

March 18, 2024: It looks as if another royal family portrait is raising eyebrows. A spokesperson for Getty Images told The Telegraph that a photo released in April 2023 was also digitally altered. “Getty Images has reviewed the image in question and placed an editor’s note on it, stating that the image has been digitally enhanced at source,” the spokesperson said of the photo, which was captured by Kate.

March 16, 2024: Kate Middleton was allegedly spotted visiting Windsor Farm Shop with Prince William, according to The Sun. A few days later, TMZ published a video of William and Kate’s shopping trip. In the clip, the princess wears black leggings and a sporty men's pullover in honor of England's rugby team. Of course, some conspiracy theorists believe the video may have used a “stunt double.”

Meanwhile, as conspiracy theories get mainstream attention, Lady Rose Hanbury addresses those Prince William affair rumors for what appears to be the first time since they first surfaced in 2019. Per Business Insider, the palace “declined to comment” on the speculation, while “through her lawyers, Hanbury said that ‘the rumours are completely false.’”

March 11, 2024: Kate Middleton admits to editing the Mother's Day photo on X.com.

That same day, The Daily Mail published another grainy photo of Kate Middleton in a car, this time alongside her husband Prince William. The site claimed the Princess of Wales was en route to a “private appointment,” while William was headed to the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. The only problem is that the photo, in addition to being extremely fuzzy, only shows the back of Kate's head and a bit of cheekbone—raising questions as to how the Mail was able to identify the princess at all.

March 10, 2024: After Kate Middleton released her first personal statement and photo with her children since her abdominal surgery, controversy erupted.

Some of the world’s biggest news agencies—the Associated Press, Reuters, and the Agence France-Presse—issued “kill orders” for the photo, meaning they did not want the news organizations that licensed it from them to run it because they had concerns about it. The AP said they believed the “source manipulated the image,” while the AFP said the photo had an “editorial issue.”

The family portrait had been issued to news agencies by Kensington Palace, which said it was taken by Prince William.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” the princess wrote for the photo caption. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.” The note was signed signed “C” for Catherine.

March 6, 2024: Time reports that the UK army has quietly removed Middleton from their list of confirmed attendees for this year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony in June. That same day a rep for Prince William responds to all the online speculation, telling People that Wills’s “focus is on his work and not on social media.”

Royals

The Princess of Wales was just spotted for the first time since her “planned abdominal surgery” in January.

March 4, 2024: TMZ shares a grainy photo of Middleton in the passenger seat of a car driven by her mom, Carole Middleton. This marks the first time the princess has been spotted since December.

February 27, 2024: Prince William abruptly pulls out of a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle (his father’s late cousin) due to a “personal matter,” prompting speculation. The party line given to NBC News is that the princess “continues to do well.” It should be noted that two other members of William’s family—his father, King Charles III, and his aunt Sarah Ferguson—are being treated for cancer.

(Around this time conspiracy theorists say that the rest of Kate Middleton’s family are also “missing,” which is not true.)

January 29, 2024: Two weeks after her admission, Kensington Palace announces that the princess has gone home to Windsor to continue recovering there. William plans to cut back on and postpone many of his royal duties so he can take care of the couple’s three kids while his wife recuperates.

January 17, 2024: Kensington Palace releases a statement explaining that the Princess of Wales had been admitted to the hospital the previous day for planned abdominal surgery, where she will stay for up to two weeks, and will be missing her previously planned engagements through Easter (March 31) as she recovers.

Christmas 2023: The Waleses step out for Christmas Day church services. Everyone appears happy and healthy. This is the last time Catherine is seen in public for some time.

This article will be updated. May she recover quickly.

Originally Appeared on Glamour