Prayers are being said for the Princess of Wales after she revealed on Friday that she is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Catherine released a poignant video message to the nation wherein she said that it had been an “incredibly tough couple of months” but that she was “well and getting stronger every single day”.
The 42 yr old said that tests after abdominal surgery in January had detected cancer and that she was within the “early stages” of a course of preventative chemotherapy.
Aside from the treatment, which began in February, she said her priority in the intervening time was her family.
“William and I even have been doing every thing we are able to to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” she said, adding, “It has taken us time to clarify every thing to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is acceptable for them, and to reassure them that I’m going to be okay.”
She asked for “a while, space and privacy” because the family deal along with her diagnosis but thanked people for his or her support.
“Having William by my side is an incredible source of comfort and reassurance too,” she said.
“As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so lots of you. It means a lot to us each.”
She also took a moment to say she was considering of all people affected by cancer and encouraged them to not lose faith or hope.
“You are usually not alone,” she said.
King Charles III, who can also be being treated for cancer, said he was “so pleased with Catherine for her courage” in speaking out about it.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said his prayers were with the princess and her family “at this tremendously difficult time”.
“I join the entire country, and the world, in praying for her full recovery,” he said.
“I take this chance to praise her for her spirit of optimism within the face of such difficult news, and am pleased to listen to that she is feeling stronger every single day. Her bravery in sharing in this manner and her continued commitment to supporting others speaks to her compassion and sense of service.
“Please join with me in praying for the Royal Family as they take care of this private matter and I’d urge people to respect their privacy at the moment.”
The Church of England has released a special prayer to be utilized in praying for the princess.
“Gracious God,
we pray for the continued recovery of the Princess of Wales,
for her husband, and for his or her family.
Grant to them,
and to all who’re affected by sickness,
faith, hope, and the knowledge of your love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.”
Archbishop Angaelos, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, said on X, formerly Twitter, “Prayers for the Princess of Wales and her whole family following her incredibly moving and emotional yet courageous video message.”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the top of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, praised her courage and said she was a source of encouragement for others experiencing ill-health.
“I salute the courage of the Princess of Wales in speaking so openly about her personal health. Not only does she give encouragement to all who carry the burden of in poor health health, but she also speaks so movingly of the importance of her family life,” he said.
The Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, said: “In the face of this news, it’s our hope that Her Royal Highness will feel sustained by the love that surrounds her and find renewed hope within the prayers that we provide.”
Marcus Walker, leader of the Save the Parish campaign, joined others in condemning the media and social media frenzy about Catherine’s health and whereabouts in the previous few months.
“Many individuals who have been hounding the Princess of Wales over these previous couple of weeks should take a while to ask how they became the folks that would do this to an individual they already knew to be recovering from an illness,” he said.
The Association of English Cathedrals said prayers will probably be offered up for the princess in all its cathedrals.
