Kate Middleton Says Prince William Is a ‘Great Source of Comfort and Reassurance’ amid Cancer Treatment

The Princess of Wales credited her husband’s dedication to the family in her announcement Friday

Prince William is standing strong for his wife amid an unthinkable time for his family.

On Friday, Kate Middleton appeared in a video announcement and announced that she was found to have cancer in testing after her January abdominal surgery.

As she spoke about treatment for her illness, the mother of three called her husband, 41, “a great source of comfort and reassurance” as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy.

“As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you,” the Princess of Wales, 42, continued. “It means so much to us both.”

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As for whether Prince William will continue official duties amid the Princess of Wales’ continued treatment and recovery, a Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that William will continue to balance his work responsibilities and family life.

“The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year,” the spokesperson says.

Prince William is likely to resume when the couple’s three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — return to school after the Easter holiday break.

William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, visit to Outfit Moray, an award-winning charity delivering life-changing outdoor learning and adventure activity programmes to young people on November 02, 2023 in Moray, Scotland.
Princess Catherine listens to Prince William talking during a rural Scotland trip.
Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty

Prince William made it clear that his duties as a husband and parent came first when Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January. William took time out of the public eye during her recovery so he could help her and keep a normal schedule for the children.

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“We know they are a very tight family unit, and he wants to be there for them,” Robert Hardman, author of The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, previously told PEOPLE. “So much of what they do with those kids is about normalizing life and not making them feel like they are in a special gilded cage.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales process out of The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
Prince William walks with Princess Catherine and their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — following a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“They are a modern royal couple,” added Hardman. “There would have been more delegation [in the past]. He doesn’t want to leave it all to the nanny.”