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Having been subjected to the worst of internet speculation for weeks,not only did Kate have to deliver her news to her children but the world.
“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,”she said,staring down the barrel of the camera. “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.”
Confirmation of her illness is a devastating personal blow to her and the rest of the royal family.
The King,75,is also undergoing treatment for cancer and is away from public duties as he recovers.
Charles’s candour about his condition has been unprecedented,royal watchers have observed. It has led to millions of men around the world getting their own health checked.
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He wisely anticipated that being open about having cancer early on would be the right thing to do – and would win him some respite from inquiries about the details.
Catherine and William were not as forthcoming. But since the death of Princess Diana,we have all seen the toll that being forced to get on with life in front of cameras has done to her two sons.
Catherine is likely to take a much longer period away from official duties than the timescale initially thought likely for her to recuperate from abdominal surgery. We are told by the palace she fully intends to try to go about her normal private life.
There will be many readers who are asking “so what?”
After all,most of us knowsomeone who has been affected by cancer. More than 165,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer last year alone.
But it is yet another reminder that cancer does not discriminate,including fit and active 40-somethings.
The media and public have waged a public pressure campaign to harass the couple for more information about Catherine’s condition before she was ready.
The treatment of her brother-in-law Harry and Meghan has been equally appalling at times. Even if they have brought some of that on themselves.
Social media can be a wonderful thing,but what we have seen lately is mainstream media outlets give in to the baying internet mob.It emboldened at least one hospital staff member to break medical confidentiality to try to illegally access her medical information.
We forget the lessons of the past. It wasn’t that long ago that a hospital nurse,duped in a prank call by two Australian radio DJs pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles,took her own life after transferring the hoax call to a colleague treating the then duchess.
The British monarchy remains a global institution with considerable pulling power. Yes,taxpayer money is spent on the institution,but the princess and her family should now – having shared more than perhaps they’d have liked to – finally have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
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