Brave Kate wanted to share cancer diagnosis in ‘most compassionate’ way as William ‘extremely proud’ of her ‘strength’

PRINCESS Kate revealed she is undergoing cancer treatment via video message to break the news “as compassionately as possible”, a close friend has revealed. 

Brave Kate announced her “shock” diagnosis on Friday evening in a heartfelt clip released at 6pm.

Sitting on a bench at Windsor for the poignant clip, the royal said she initially had no signs of cancer but post-op tests showed the disease had been “present”.

Now it’s been revealed that the idea of revealing the diagnosis by video was Kate’s – as she believed a written statement would be “too jarring”.

A close friend told : “It allowed her to speak directly to the public who, overwhelmingly have always been with her and her family and who won’t buy into the noise and gossip. 

“She thought about the most compassionate way she could deliver the news so that it would land with the public in the least shocking way.”

In the video, Kate thanked her husband Prince William for his support and told how she broke the news to George, 10, Charlotte, 8, and five-year-old Louis.

Sources have revealed how “extremely proud” William is of his wife. 

They told : “He has always done all he can to protect his family and now more than ever he’s focused on ensuring his wife has the privacy she needs to fully recover and that his children are shielded from the understandable interest in the news that has been shared.”

It comes as the royal couple said on Saturday night they are both “enormously touched” by the outpouring of kindness from people across the world” in a new statement. 

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’ message.

“They are extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”

Kate was last officially seen with her family at the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham.

Her absence has been plagued by vile conspiracy theories over her whereabouts in the weeks that followed the announcement.

On March 4, Kate was seen for the first time since her operation. as she rode in a car with mum Carole, 69.

That same week, she shared a sweet snap of herself with Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte for Mother’s Day.

But eagle-eyed royal fans were quick to spot flaws in the snap – before photo agencies ordered a “kill notice” on the pic.

This caused further vile conspiracy theories to spread – before Kate admitted on March 11 that she had “experimented with editing“.

She was spotted in the car with Prince William as they left Windsor Castle that afternoon.

She was later said to be “very sad” that the sweet photograph had triggered a global furore.

William meanwhile has been continuing his royal duties – joking how his “wife was the arty one” at one event last Thursday.

He also made an emotional speech about mum Diana at her legacy awards.

Then, on Saturday, royal fans spotted Princess Kate out and about near her home at Windsor. 

On Monday, Kate seen in a video obtained by The Sun shopping with Prince William.

The diagnosis comes as three workers at The London Clinic are investigated over allegations they attempted to hack Kate’s medical records.

Bosses at the hospital have refused to confirm when they were first made aware of the allegation, whether anyone had been suspended, or if any private information was accessed.

The London Clinic’s chief executive Al Russell said in a statement: “Everyone at The London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.

“We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.”