Prince Harry and Meghan have issued a 23-word statement in light of Princess Kate‘s cancer diagnosis news as they wish her “health and healing.” The California-based couple, who stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020, sent their message of support an hour after the King and Queen shared theirs.

It said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.” The Princess of Wales issued a video message to the world at around 6pm today (March 22) confirming she is in the early stages of treatment following a cancer diagnosis.

The two-minute message contained glimmers of hope, as Kate said she is “getting stronger every day”, but also unearthed the personal way in which the news has impacted herself and her young family. It is thought her video statement was deliberately released today to conicide with the start of the children’s Easter break.

It won the praise of King Charles who said in a statement via Buckingham Palace he is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.” The pair share their heartbreaking cancer treatment journeys together, ultimately making their bond stronger.

While Harry and Meghan put out a response to the news shortly after it went global, it is not known if either of them were aware of Kate’s personal health issues before her decision to go public with it.

Kate, looking down the lens of a camera, said the cancer had been discovered during post-operative treatment. She had undergone successful abdominal surgery in January, but it was not picked up until later on.

The exact type of cancer has not been confirmed, and is not likely to be. Princess Kate’s address said: “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.”

Touching upon her noticeable absence, of which was always going to be until after Easter, 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.”

The Princess was set to return to official royal duties after Easter, as per Kensington Palace’s repeated confirmations, but it is now not known exactly when Kate will return to work.

“As you can imagine, this has taken time,” she said. “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.”

When the news was received by palace staff, some are said to have been “in tears” at hearing of Kate’s chemo journey. And in her admission, she said she is “focused” on her recovery.

She added: “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.

“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.

“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.”

Prince Harry and Meghan’s reaction to the news came in the shortest of statements and was not always guaranteed given nothing was publicly said when King Charles’s cancer diagnosis was announced in February.

The King’s youngest son instead opted to jump on a plane from California to London, where he resides with Meghan and their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

He did so promptly after the news and spent a short period of time in the UK before turning on his heels and heading back to London Heathrow to catch a flight home.

Among those to have sent well wishes to the future Queen is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, The White House and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.