When Kate Middleton revealed her cancer diagnosis on March 22, 2024, an outpouring of support followed. However, the palace made it clear why she chose not to disclose the specific type of cancer she had.

Her announcement came after months of speculation, as concerns and conspiracy theories circulated. Once she explained her absence from royal duties, the hashtag #WhereIsKateMiddleton quickly disappeared. Now, as the anniversary of her announcement approaches, we reflect on why her diagnosis had such an impact and why she chose to keep certain details private.

Prince William’s Reaction to Kate’s Diagnosis

Although Kate shared her diagnosis with the public last March, it wasn’t until recently that we learned how Prince William responded to the news.

Former royal aide Jason Knauf spoke to 60 Minutes Australia about his experience working with the Prince and Princess of Wales. He revealed that hearing Kate’s diagnosis was incredibly difficult for William.

“It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen him,” Jason said.

He also shared that the couple delayed making the news public because they wanted to first discuss it with their children and face the challenge as a family.

Why Kate Middleton Chose Not to Reveal Her Cancer Type

Kensington Palace addressed public and media inquiries about the type of cancer Kate had, making it clear that they wouldn’t be sharing further details.

“The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do,” the palace stated.

Now that Kate is in remission, the royal family has chosen not to disclose additional medical details, including the stage of her cancer. A similar approach was taken when King Charles announced his own cancer diagnosis in February 2024.

At the time, Buckingham Palace stated: