![Britain in shock after Catherine's cancer announcement](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/99/5d/1c/Britain-in-shock-after-Catherine-s--311115.jpg)
-
Volcano erupts in Iceland, sixth since December
-
Paris Paralympics to showcase best of disability sport
-
Bosnia volleyball team sets sights on Paralympic glory
-
Mbappe ready for Bernabeu bow as Ancelotti seeks Madrid balance
-
Australia tackles poor Great Barrier Reef water quality
-
Indian PM Modi to advocate 'peace' on historic Ukraine visit
-
NATO airbase in Germany raises security level over 'potential threat'
-
US Fed chair expected to signal support for rate cuts
-
Venezuela top court confirms Maduro's disputed reelection
-
Once 'canceled,' The Chicks take center stage at Democratic Convention
-
Harris vows to be 'president for all Americans' in convention climax
-
Influencers get VIP treatment at US Democratic National Convention
-
French prosecutors request trial in Depardieu rape probe
-
Influencer Andrew Tate placed under house arrest in Romania in new probe
-
Canada government steps in to end crippling freight rail shutdown
-
Harris poised for joyful star turn at Democratic convention
-
'I love him': Flag-waving Russians rally for pro-Putin pop star
-
Venezuela apex court confirms Maduro's disputed reelection
-
Chelsea give Maresca first win in Conference League
-
Fearing Trump, LGBTQ Americans out in force for vote
-
Apple to let iPhone users in Europe delete its App Store
-
Tebogo tops 200m, Wanyonyi on fire in mixed night for Olympic champs
-
Israel in Gaza talks in Egypt as fighting rages
-
Combining climate measures key to slashing emissions: study
-
Harris to formally accept Democratic nomination
-
England's Hull out in front after first round of Women's British Open
-
Ingebrigtsen claims revenge on Hocker in Lausanne 1500m
-
World's second largest diamond found in Botswana
-
US Open draw raises prospect of Sinner-Alcaraz rematch
-
Smith edges England ahead in first Test against Sri Lanka
-
Venezuela high court confirms Maduro's reelection after fraud claims
-
'Crazy love': Afghans overjoyed to watch star cricketers on home turf
-
Putin accuses Ukraine of trying to attack Kursk nuclear plant
-
Nestle CEO Schneider to step down after eight years at helm
-
Pakistan top court amends religious freedom ruling after protests
-
Stocks sputter ahead of Fed chief's speech
-
Nepal lifts ban on video-sharing platform TikTok
-
Bangladesh revokes diplomatic passport of ex-PM Hasina
-
O'Connor romps to Vuelta win, takes significant lead
-
Indonesia scraps plan to change election rules after protests
-
Brook steadies England after Asitha Fernando strikes for Sri Lanka
-
Hamilton backs Grand Prix in Africa amid Rwanda talks
-
Truce hopes fade as Gaza rocked by Israeli bombardment, battles
-
Mpox vaccine maker says 'better prepared' than in 2022
-
Dyche fears Everton could have just 14 first-team players for Spurs trip
-
Canada rail freight shut down threatens to disrupt economy
-
Harris to take star turn at Democratic convention
-
US existing home sales rise in July, ending downward trend
-
Unbeaten Verstappen eyes 'very close' Dutch Grand Prix
-
Protests as rebuilt tower opens at German church with Nazi links
![Britain in shock after Catherine's cancer announcement](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/99/5d/1c/Britain-in-shock-after-Catherine-s--311115.jpg)
Britain in shock after Catherine's cancer announcement
After weeks of wild speculation, British people on Saturday digested the shock news that Catherine, Princess of Wales, has cancer, with many praising her courage while others criticised the conspiracies that spread over her absence.
Catherine revealed the news in a highly personal video released Friday, just weeks after King Charles III said he too is battling cancer.
The candid disclosure leaves the British monarchy in crisis with two of its most senior members simultaneously fighting serious illness.
Charles -- 17 months into his reign when Buckingham Palace announced in February that he would be cancelling all public engagements -- led tributes to his "beloved daughter-in-law".
The ailing 75-year-old monarch spoke of his pride in "her courage in speaking as she did".
Following other warm words from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the White House, British newspapers hailed the courage of the 42-year-old wife of Prince William, heir to the throne.
"Kate, you are not alone" read the front of The Sun.
The tabloid said it was "hugely comforting" to hear Kate say she was getting stronger, and that "perhaps the world will now appreciate why so much secrecy surrounded her surgery in January".
- 'Privacy' demand -
Others hoped it would end the frenzied rumours. The Daily Mail tabloid took aim at the "social media trolls who have been peddling disgusting conspiracy theories to explain her absence from public life."
The public also condemned media coverage of the princess however.
Stood outside Kensington Palace in London, Nathaniel Taylor, a 24-year-old government worker, said: "I think it's really damning what happened to them, what the media has done, how they've reacted over these past couple of months.
"I think some speculation is inevitable but the lengths people were going to try and make things up it's just (too much). Hopefully people take a look in the mirror."
At Tower Bridge, Sofia, a 19-year-old student who did not give her family name, said she had seen "weird accusations" about the absence and that the true reason was "sad".
"Obviously it was a much (more) serious matter", she said.
In her statement Kate, as the princess is widely known, admitted the diagnosis was a "huge shock" and asked for "time, space and privacy" as she completes chemotherapy.
In the video -- recorded Wednesday in Windsor, west of London, where the future queen and king live with their three young children -- she insisted she was "well".
She said it had taken them time to explain the situation to Prince George, aged 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis, "and to reassure them that I am going to be OK".
"William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," Kate added.
Commentators commended its frank nature, with the princess speaking directly to the camera while sitting on a garden bench.
"So many people will have been so moved by the way that she conducted herself during that two minute plus broadcast," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told AFP.
"But there's no doubt at all that it's a very, very difficult time for the institution of monarchy," he added.
- Royal health woes -
Buckingham Palace announced on February 5 that tests had identified Charles had "a form of cancer" without giving further details.
He has cancelled all public engagements except audiences with the prime minister and ambassadors, and worked on official papers while receiving treatment.
He has been photographed several times since then, and seen attending church.
Kate was last seen at a public engagement on December 25.
Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that she faced up to two weeks in hospital and several months' recuperation following abdominal surgery.
She was not expected to be ready to return to public duties until after Easter on March 31, a statement at the time said.
- 'Doing their best' -
But Kate disclosed tests after the operation "found cancer had been present" and that she was now undergoing "preventative chemotherapy".
"Preventive chemotherapy after surgery is given to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the future," Andrew Beggs, a senior clinical fellow and consultant colorectal surgeon at the University of Birmingham, said.
He added it was "a bit like mopping a floor with bleach when you've spilt something on it," noting chemotherapy "kills any spilt cells".
O.Karlsson--AMWN