Sarah Ferguson 'full of admiration' for Kate following cancer diagnosis and hopes she now has 'space to heal'
25 March 2024, 17:22 | Updated: 25 March 2024, 18:00
Sarah Ferguson has said she's "full of admiration" for Kate following the Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis, adding she now hopes the royal will be given the "space and privacy to heal".
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Kate broke her silence for the first on Friday about the "huge shock" of finding out she had cancer following abdominal surgery earlier this year.
Now, Sarah, Duchess of York, has taken to social media to express her admiration following the shock diagnosis.
The Duchess of York, said: "I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal," adding: "All my thoughts and prayers are with the Princess of Wales as she starts her treatment."
The Duchesses comments follow her own very public battle with the disease, after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer in January, just months after being treated for breast cancer.
It comes as cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support revealed their website had seen a surge in visits in the days following the news of the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis.
Kate, 42, has begun a preventative course of chemotherapy after she was discovered to have had cancer following major abdominal surgery.
As part of the social media message, the Duchess continued: "I know she will be surrounded by the love of her family and everyone is praying for the best outcome.
"As someone who has faced their own battles with cancer in recent months, I am full of admiration for the way she has spoken publicly about her diagnosis and know it will do a tremendous amount of good to raise awareness.
"I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal."
The news followed widespread speculation surrounding the Princess of Wales' health, which saw a slew of conspiracy theories circulate across social media in recent weeks.
Kate posted a heartfelt video message to social media following her diagnosis, with the Princess of Wales said to have written every word of the speech she gave on video revealing her cancer diagnosis - and had been planning the announcement for two weeks
She said her family have experienced an "incredibly tough couple of months" in a video released to the public.
The Princess of Wales and her husband William have since thanked the public for the outpouring of support after the announcement.
A friend of the princess told the Times that Kate wrote the personal announcement herself.
"It allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly, have always been with her and her family and who don’t buy into the noise and gossip," they said.
The announcement, coming after weeks of speculation about her health, was made at what was deemed to be the right time for her and William's three children, who have broken up for the Easter school holidays.
It comes as Macmillan Cancer Support revealed that traffic to its online information and support pages were the highest seen on a weekend since the first Covid-19 lockdown, after Kate's message to the nation.
It noted a 10% increase in traffic since the announcement had been made.
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Kate's announcement came after she and her father-in law King Charles had an "emotional" one-on-one lunch together.
Charles went from London to Windsor on Thursday to spend some time with King Charles, who has also been diagnosed with cancer, then praised the Princess of Wales for her courage speaking out about the diagnosis.
The day before the announcement, the two had lunch together at Windsor Castle, with Kate asking the King about how he was coping with his illness.
A source told the Sun: "It is highly unusual for just the two of them to sit down together like this.
"The King had already been made aware that the woman he calls ‘my beloved daughter-in-law’ had cancer.
"They would have had lots to discuss and share because just weeks earlier the King had begun his course of treatment and dealt with announcing his diagnosis.
"The King left his lunch feeling very emotional. They are very close and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter.
"There is no doubt there is a lot they can share and can use each other for support during their own deeply personal cancer battles."
It came after it was announced earlier this year he had also been diagnosed with cancer following surgery for an enlarged prostate.
In a statement released after Kate's video the King said: "His Majesty is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did'.
"Following their time in hospital together, HM has 'remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.'
"Both Their Majesties 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time'."
Kate was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous but tests after the successful operation found cancer, the type of which has not been disclosed.
The future Queen began a course of "preventative chemotherapy" late in February but is said to have a positive mindset for her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as "well and getting stronger every day".
Kate has received an outpouring of support and well-wishes following her announcement.
Rishi Sunak praised her "tremendous bravery", saying she had been "unfairly treated" and "subjected to intense scrutiny" in recent weeks.
In a statement, he said: "My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, Prince of Wales, the Royal Family and in particular her three children at this difficult time. The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery.
"She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today. In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.
"When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family.
"I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she's ready."
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Sir Keir Starmer said Kate has "the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too" during this "distressing time".
He said: "On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I want to send my very best wishes to Her Royal Highness at this distressing time.
"Our thoughts are with the whole Royal Family as they come to terms with the news and as they support The Princess of Wales through her treatment and recovery.
"Any cancer diagnosis is shocking. But I can only imagine the added stress of receiving that news amid the lurid speculation we've seen in recent weeks.
"Their Royal Highnesses are entitled to privacy and, like any parents, will have waited to choose the right moment to tell their children.
"I am heartened by The Princess of Wales' optimistic tone and her message of faith and hope. Her Royal Highness will be in our thoughts and prayers as she progresses through her treatment with the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too."
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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan posted on X: "On behalf of Londoners, I wish the Princess of Wales a swift recovery as she undergoes treatment. My thoughts are with her & her family.
"Cancer has an impact on so many of us - & her bravery in sharing her diagnosis will help raise awareness & encourage others to get checked."
Former PM Liz Truss said the "entire country" will be wishing the Princess of Wales a speedy recovery.
She said: "My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and her family at this very difficult time.
"The entire country will be wishing her a full and speedy recovery."
Shelagh condemns those who have 'taken it to far' in the lead up to the Princess of Wales announcing her cancer treatment.
Harry and Meghan also shared a message of support for Princess Kate on Friday.
They said: "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."
James Middleton, 36, the younger brother of Princess Kate shared a heartwarming tribute to his sister following her announcement.
Sharing a sweet childhood snap of the pair on a hiking trip, he wrote: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
