A montage of the front pages of some of Britain's newspapers in London on Saturday. AP

Support poured in from around the world on Saturday for Kate, the Princess of Wales, after she revealed in a candid video message that she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer following a major abdominal surgery.

The princess’s poignant video, in which she spoke about the “huge shock” and “incredibly tough couple of months” for her family after her diagnosis, came after weeks of frenzied speculation on social media about her health and well-being.

“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,” Kate said in the video, which was recorded on Wednesday in Windsor.

“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 added, referring to her three young children.

Kate, 42, did not say what type of cancer was discovered after her surgery. She said she is now in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy, and is “getting stronger every day.”

Her condition was initially thought to be noncancerous, until post-surgery tests revealed the diagnosis, she said. Hashtags including “WeLoveYouCatherine” and “GetWellSoonCatherine” were trending on Friday on X, formerly Twitter, while political leaders, celebrities and cancer survivors sent messages of support.

“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,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

“She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement.” US President Joe Biden posted on social media, saying he and first lady Jill Biden “join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.”

King Charles III, who is also undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer, said in a statement that he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.”

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who have been estranged from the royal family since their move to California in 2020, said they wished “health and healing for Kate and the family.”

Until Friday, there had been little information about Kate’s condition, and her monthslong disappearance from public view fuelled a flurry of rumour-mongering about the “missing” future queen.

Associated Press