The Reason Why Kate Announced Her Cancer When She Did
Kate Middleton carefully chose when to share the news of her cancer diagnosis with the world.
Some wondered if increasingly frenzied conspiracy theories and online rumors about the Princess of Wales’ health and whereabouts amid her private recovery following abdominal surgery in January drove Kate, 42, to announce the news on March 22. Despite the hype around Prince William’s last-minute absence from the memorial service for his late godfather and controversy around the family’s U.K. Mother’s Day photo, which multiple global photo agencies dropped due to suspicion of manipulation, Princess Kate timed the announcement to when was best for her kids.
Sources say that the Princess of Wales strategically released the announcement when she felt the time was right for her, Prince William and their three children. Those close to the family say that the Prince and Princess of Wales have made every decision with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in mind.
Kensington Palace released Princess Kate’s self-written speech on the first day of her children’s school break for the Easter holiday. Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, are not due back in the classroom until mid-April, creating space for the family to have private time together following the public announcement that Kate is undergoing cancer treatment. The Prince and Princess of Wales are known to clear their calendars when their kids are off from school, and this instance is likely no different.
Tessy Ojo, chief executive of the Diana Award, tells PEOPLE that Prince William’s stoicism at an event on March 14 “makes it even sadder as it took place against the backdrop of all the conspiracy theories of the past few weeks. It reinforces the danger of the society we live in where rumors get picked up and almost become a false reality.”
READ: Why Brave Princess Kate Chose To Deliver Her Cancer Speech Without Prince William
Ojo has partnered with the Prince of Wales, 41, on cyberbullying initiatives and said it made sense that the couple held the announcement until their kids’ school vacation.
“He has worked on cyberbullying and really understands the power of the internet, which can be quite destructive, especially for young children. I know he has the tools to protect the children, particularly Prince George,” Ojo tells PEOPLE. “They can lean in as a family without the external noise. She has a great family and I have no worries. Personally, I am sad that they have had to endure this ongoing social media conspiracy theory, knowing what they were battling internally.”
Another possible consideration behind Princess Kate’s announcement coming on March 22 may have been Easter approaching. The palace statement released on Jan. 17 to announce that the royal had “planned abdominal surgery” the day prior said that she would recover at home and wouldn’t return to royal duty until after Easter, which fell this year on March 31.
Before Princess Kate announced that she was undergoing treatment for cancer, many hoped she might join the royal family for their annual church outing on the holiday.
In a break from previous years, Prince William and Princess Kate’s family did not join King Charles and other royals for church on Easter, opting to spend the holiday privately.
The Princess of Wales directly addressed the impact of her health news on her family in the March 22 video message, stating, “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. 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,” she continued. “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.”
The sentiment echoed Princess Kate’s desire for privacy for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in the Kensington Palace statement announcing her abdominal surgery.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private,” the palace said in January.