Charlotte Griffiths reflects on first reaction to bombshell Princess Kate cancer video
Royal expert Charlotte Griffiths has reflected on the emotional impact of Princess Kate’s cancer announcement video, describing the shock of seeing the royal’s frail appearance earlier this year.
Speaking about the March announcement on GB News, Griffiths recalled feeling struck by how different the Princess of Wales looked, noting her faltering voice and visible weakness.
“She was clearly very weak and extremely tired,” she observed, adding that the video release came after intense speculation about Kate’s health.
The commentator suggested that some of the pressure had been “slightly self-inflicted” due to the controversy surrounding an edited Mother’s Day photograph.
“I just thought, ‘oh dear, we’ve driven this poor woman out of hiding’, not just the press, but the whole world,” the journalist concluded.
Kate began her cancer journey following scheduled abdominal surgery in January at the London Clinic.
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Tests after the operation revealed the presence of cancer, leading to her starting chemotherapy treatment in February.
The Princess shared the news in March through a video statement, calling it a “huge shock” for her and William.
In September, the Princess of Wales announced she was cancer-free, expressing relief at completing her chemotherapy treatment.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus,” Kate stated, acknowledging that her path to healing and full recovery would be long.
The Princess has since gradually returned to public duties, including attending the Festival of Remembrance ceremony at Royal Albert Hall.
A deeply personal video marked the end of Kate’s chemotherapy treatment, showing the Wales family enjoying time together in Norfolk.
The footage captured intimate moments between William and Kate, including scenes of them embracing and holding hands.
Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine noted that while the couple are “not often given to PDAs,” the video showed “a little of that love expressed physically.”
The display was seen as a response to social media trolls who had spread rumours about their marriage.
“They are presenting themselves not only as royals, parents – but also as sweethearts,” Vine observed, calling it a “tacit but highly effective rebuttal” of recent speculation.
The cancer diagnoses of both Kate and King Charles have brought a different perspective to this year’s Royal Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine that having family together would “mean the world to the King and Queen.”
The celebrations are expected to become more child-oriented, which Bond suggests is “exactly what Christmas should be all about.”
If the Middletons attend, they will stay at Anmer Hall, though Bond believes Catherine may not yet feel up to hosting large gatherings.
The family is expected to unite around Charles, Camilla, William and Catherine, hoping to “put this year behind them.”