ITV’s royal editor Chris Ship has revealed why the Princess of Wales felt compelled to release a video statement telling the world about her cancer diagnosis.
Last night (March 22), at 6pm, a pre-recorded video of Kate was shared via the BBC. It showed the Princess of Wales sitting on a bench, with her long hair loose in waves, wearing one of her favourite breton striped tops.
Princess of Wales shares video statement
In the video, she shared that cancer had been found following her major abdominal surgery. Kate didn’t reveal what her surgery was, or what type of cancer she has been diagnosed with.
But the video statement was an unprecedented move by the royal family. And it came after months of cruel online speculation about Kate’s health.
She wanted to do it in the most personal way possible.
Now, speaking on ITV News, Chris Ship has detailed why he thinks Kate decided to tell the world of her diagnosis, and do so on video.
During last night’s show, host Charlene White asked: “It’s a moment she chose to do on video. Which is very different from doing it in a written statement. What can we read into that?”
‘She wanted to make that very personal statement herself’
Chris responded: “If you look back to how the King revealed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, it was in a statement from Buckingham Palace. Kate has done it, I am told, in a video form because she wanted to do it in the most personal way possible.
“Yes, of course, it helps to silence all the conspiracy theorists as well. But she wanted to do the video message. And it was a very moving message too. And she wanted to make that very personal statement herself.”
Earlier on in the broadcast Chris had commented: “It was a very moving. I’d say it was a very emotional Princess of Wales that we’ve just seen there.”
‘I think she has been pressured into doing that’
Another royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, said she thinks Kate made the video to silence the theories.
Speaking on Sky News, she said: “What a courageous young woman she is. How very brave to make a video message like that. She didn’t have to. But she did that partly I think because of all the ridiculous, absurd theories that have been going round on the internet.”
Discussing the attention that has been on the family in recent weeks, Jennie added: “I don’t think she should ever have felt that she was required to sit in front of a camera and make a statement about her health. But I think that she has been pressured into doing that.
“Just think what they’ve all been going through in the last few weeks. I think we must absolutely give them all now the time, and space, and as much time and space, as they want and need.”
Read more: Why Prince William pulled out of his godfather’s memorial service amid Kate’s cancer diagnosis
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