PRINCESS Kate and William decided the “right time” to release her important message, a royal expert has claimed.
The Princess of Wales, 42, revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in a brave video message last week.
And royal commentator Dickie Arbiter explained how the late Queen gave a tribute to Princess Diana on the eve of her funeral.
The Queen’s former aide told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show: “She was up at Balmoral Castle caring for her grandchildren William and Harry.
“They needed her because she had dealt with death in the family and she could help them overcome the trauma of losing their mother.
“The Queen decided she wasn’t going to be bullied into doing things [by the media] and the eve of the funeral was exactly the right time to do it.”
Dicky’s daughter Victoria then compared the Queen’s tribute to William and Kate’s timing.
She said: “William and Kate will have probably decided together that it was the right time to give a message.
“It was right in terms of the public clamouring ahead of Easter when people were expecting to see her.
“When Kensington Palace said she would be back after Easter, they meant Easter Monday.
“When Kate knew she wasn’t going to be able to, she had to come right back out.”
Victoria added: “William is not going to give in to the demands of the public because then it sets a precedent about how things are done.”
The King, diagnosed with cancer in February, is said to be “proud” of his “beloved” daughter-in-law for her “courage” in speaking about her treatment and has remained in close contact during the past few weeks.
Words of support also came from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
The form of cancer has not been disclosed but the future Queen began a course of “preventative chemotherapy” late in February.
She is said to have a positive mindset for her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as “well and getting stronger every day”.
Speaking in the video message recorded last Wednesday in Windsor, Kate said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.
“My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
“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. As you can imagine, this has taken time.”
Kate, who is casually dressed in the video and sitting on a bench, added: “It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
“But, most importantly, 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.
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.”
Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where Kate had surgery.
Buckingham Palace 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’.”
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
MARCH 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
Kate’s abdominal procedure took place at the London Clinic on January 16, Kensington Palace previously confirmed.
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.
He also made an emotional speech about mum Diana at her legacy awards.
Then royal fans spotted Princess Kate out and about near her home at Windsor.
Kate was 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.
“We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.
“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
