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The Princess of Wales has revealed she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer that was discovered following abdominal surgery she had in January.

Kate, 42, says she is in the “early stages” of treatment and has said she is “getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits”.

Here’s everything we know so far.

What treatment is the princess having?

The Princess of Wales has described the chemotherapy as “preventative”.

She says in her message: “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.”

Kate says she has a “fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful”.

“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment,” she says.

The princess did not reveal the type of cancer she is having treatment for, or what stage her cancer is.

Reassuring George, Charlotte and Louis

The princess says it has taken her and her husband Prince William “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 okay”.

She says she has told 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”.

‘William by my side’

Praising William, Kate said having him by her side “is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”

The princess also says they need time as a family to focus on her recovery.

“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.”

Princess’s sweet message to people affected by cancer

To end her statement, the Princess of Wales talked about looking forward to getting back to work.

She also gave her thoughts to those affected by the disease.

“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

“At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

What is preventative chemo and how long does it last?

Thomas Moore, Sky’s science correspondent, explains the usual procedure following many surgeries.

“They do tests on the cells and that’s when they would have discovered that it was cancerous,” he says.

“When they are talking about preventative chemotherapy, that is in case there are any other cells that were left behind after the surgery, to make sure those are not the seeds of a cancer that grows back.”

He says it is hopeful that she has been diagnosed at a “fairly early stage” and there hasn’t been any spread.

He explains that some chemotherapies can be “very difficult to take” and the side effects can be “brutal” – but that isn’t always the case.

Moore explains chemotherapy normally takes between three and six months, with rounds of treatment where drugs are pumped directly into the veins. These drugs target cancerous cells – but also other cells like hair follicles.

“That is why we need to give huge understanding to Kate and what the family is going through.

“This is an awful lot to process. Cancer is still the diagnosis that no one wants to hear,” he adds.

“Even though the treatments have got much better and the outlook is much better than it’s ever been before, it’s still the dreaded diagnosis.”

Dr Karol Sikora, a consultant oncologist and leading cancer specialist, told Sky News this could be because the “risk of recurrence is high”.

“The way treatment is delivered is so much nicer now and it is really done very professionally and she will be getting the best care possible,” he says.

He explains that doctors are able to predict the “right treatment for the right patient”.

“Although it is unpleasant, chemotherapy is of great benefit,” he adds.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive for the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Picture date: Thursday November 30, 2023.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales, Thursday November 30, 2023. Pic: PA

When did the princess get her diagnosis?

Laura Bundock, Sky’s royal correspondent, says Kate will have known “for some time”.

The princess began the course of preventative chemotherapy at the end of February, but we don’t yet know what kind of cancer she has or what stage it is – this is her “private medical information”.

Bundock says there had been a “huge amount of pressure” on the Princess of Wales during her absence from the public eye.

The “void” created has been “filled with wild speculation”, she says.

Bundock says it’s clear the reasons Kate has decided to go public, and this is “very much connected” to her children.

King ‘so proud of Catherine’

Buckingham Palace released a statement shortly after the princess’s video was released, saying: “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’.”

Harry and Meghan send best wishes

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have wished “health and healing” for the Princess of Wales.

They said they hoped Kate and her family were able to heal “privately”.

“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” they said.

Read more:
Kate’s full statement
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Timeline of events leading to princess sharing her diagnosis

When did the Princess of Wales have surgery?

On Wednesday 17 January, Kensington Palace said the Princess of Wales had undergone a successful planned abdominal surgery.

At the time, it was reported the procedure was routine and the princess’s condition was non-cancerous.

The palace said she would be off royal duties until after Easter while she takes time to recover.

The full statement read: “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery.

“The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery.

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

“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.

“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.

“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”

Kate leaves hospital

On 29 January, it was revealed the Princess of Wales had been discharged from hospital.

Kensington Palace said in a statement: “The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.

“The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

“The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”

The palace had earlier said Kate was keen to “maintain as much normality for her children as possible” while she recovers.

It also said that while she “appreciates” the level of interest the public will have in her wellbeing, she hopes they will respect her desire for her personal medical information to remain private.

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Border Force to stage more strikes at Heathrow Airport during half term

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Border Force to stage more strikes at Heathrow Airport during half term

More strikes have been announced by Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport at the back end of half term.

The strike action will take place on 31 May and 1 and 2 June.

It will be followed by three weeks of action short of a strike, including staff working to rule and a ban on overtime running from 4 until 25 June.

More than 500 members of the PCS (public and commercial services) union will take part in the strikes, which come following a dispute over a new staff roster.

The PCS said it expects the walkouts to disrupt passport checks for travellers coming into the UK at the airport.

The staff, who work in terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, started four days of strike action last month.

The union said it had written to the Home Office following the previous industrial action “highlighting the many problems raised” with the new system.

Its general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “We are keen to resolve this dispute but the Home Office must first put something on the table for our members to consider.

“The Home Office has said it is ‘open to discuss’ a resolution but it only responded to our request for a meeting after we threatened further action.

“Until it comes back with changes to the roster that will benefit our members then the dispute will continue.”

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A spokeswoman for Heathrow Airport said it would be working with the Home Office on contingency plans to minimise disruption to passengers.

She told Sky News that past strikes had been “dealt with well” and “managed successfully”.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We are disappointed with the union’s decision to strike but remain open to discussing a resolution with PCS union.

“The changes we are implementing will bring the working arrangements for Border Force Heathrow staff in line with the way staff work at all other major ports, provide them with more certainty on working patterns, and improve the service to the travelling public.

“We have robust plans in place to minimise disruption where possible, but we urge passengers to check the latest advice from operators before they travel.”

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Rebecca Joynes: Teacher found guilty of sexual activity with two schoolboys

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Rebecca Joynes: Teacher found guilty of sexual activity with two schoolboys

A “predator” teacher has been found guilty of having sex with two schoolboys.

Rebecca Joynes, 30, was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, following a two-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Joynes had denied she had sex with one schoolboy, boy A, and insisted in court that her relationship with a second teenager, boy B, only began once he had left school and she had been fired from her job – so it wasn’t illegal.

Jurors heard that both boys sent Joynes flirty Snapchat messages, and hid the interactions from their parents.

She took boy A – who lied about going to a friend’s house after school finished on a Friday – shopping and bought him a £350 Gucci belt before they went back to her flat in Salford Quays, where they had sex twice, the court was told.

Joynes told the boy, “No one had better find out”.

The next day the court heard the boy’s mother noticed a love-bite on her son’s neck which he dismissed as, “nothing”.

However, rumours began circulating and on the Monday morning police officers were at the school along with boy A’s “distraught” mother who stormed into reception after being told her son had spent the night with a teacher.

Joynes was bailed on condition she have no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18.

The teenager’s semen was later recovered from her bedsheets by police.

Boy B said sexual activity began when he was 15, with kissing and full sex when he was 16 – and still a pupil.

Joynes was already suspended from her high school job when she allegedly kissed and fondled the second, boy B, after sending him a photo of her bottom wearing just a thong, the jury heard.

Boy B later told officers he viewed the relationship as “friends with benefits” and said they regularly had sex while he was still at school.

He said Joynes had told him she could not have a baby and they had unprotected sex.

Boy B told officers the day before Joynes was arrested for a second time, she had planned a “date night”, with “surprises” around the flat – to which he played along with and followed.

At the end it was a baby grow, saying, ‘Best Dad’ on the front.

“I was like, ‘What the f***!'”, boy B told police.

Joynes told the jury she had ruined her “dream job” with stupid “mistakes” by meeting up with the two teenagers and having them back at her flat, but had denied under-age sex.

She said she had come out of a nine-year relationship, was lonely and flattered by the attention.

During the trial, she appeared in court with a pink baby’s bonnet visibly tucked into her trousers.

It belonged to the child she had with boy B.

Joynes wept as she told jurors the baby she had with boy B was taken away from her hours after giving birth and she now has only limited access, three times a week.

Talking about the baby bonnet, prosecutor Joe Allman told the jury in his closing speech: “That was a pretty naked attempt to garner your sympathy.”

Jane Wilson, senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West, described Joynes as a “sexual predator”.

“Joynes was entrusted with the responsibility of teaching and safeguarding children. She abused her position to groom and ultimately sexually exploit schoolboys. Her behaviour has had a lasting impact on them.”

Neither teen can be identified for legal reasons.

Joynes will be sentenced on 4 July.

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Devon: Confirmed cases of disease more than double to 46 after parasite found in drinking water

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Devon: Confirmed cases of disease more than double to 46 after parasite found in drinking water

The confirmed cases of a waterborne disease caused by a parasite have more than doubled.

There are now 46 confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis, a diarrhoeal illness, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said – with more than 100 further people reporting similar symptoms in the Brixham area.

Other reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in residents and visitors to the south Devon town are also under investigation. Hundreds of locals have also reported feeling unwell over the last two weeks on social media.

MPs and South West Water officials have confirmed the parasite most likely entered water supplies through animal faeces, but an investigation is still ongoing.

What is cryptosporidiosis disease?

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‘Cow faeces’ infected Devon water

The UKHSA first confirmed cases of the disease at around midday on Wednesday, while locals were initially told by South West Water that their tap water was uncontaminated and safe to drink.

But after testing supplies in the Hillhead reservoir, the water company found “small traces” of the parasite cryptosporidium – which causes cryptosporidiosis – and told residents in parts of Brixham and Alston to boil their drinking water on Wednesday.

More on Devon

A total of 16,000 households and businesses in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North West Paignton were impacted and offered £15 compensation at first.

Over the next two days, South West Water apologised to those affected and increased the offer to £115. Amid the chaos, one primary school closed its doors on Thursday due to not having safe running drinking water.

An area around Brixham, Devon, affected by a 'boil your tap water' warning. Pic: South West Water
Image:
16,000 businesses and residents are affected by the boil water notice. Pic: South West Water

‘Very hard questions for water company’

Speaking to Sky News yesterday, South West Water’s chief customer officer Laura Flowerdew confirmed it was likely a broken air valve contaminated by animal faeces that had caused the outbreak.

However, she refused to give a timeframe on how long the incident would be ongoing – leaving thousands of residents facing an uncertain future.

Speaking on Friday at the University of Exeter, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said there will be “very, very hard questions” for South West Water over the outbreak.

“At the moment I think we probably need to give them the space to conduct their investigation; we know that they have identified the source,” she said.

“The public will want to know how on earth that source happened, what was the chain of events that led to this, because of course we all understand the expectation that we all have when we turn our taps on is that [we get] clean drinking water and we want to be able to trust it.”

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File pic: Dr_Microbe/iStock

Release of sporozoites from Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst, 3D illustration. Cryptosporidium is a protozoan, microscopic parasite, the causative agent of the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis
Image:
Most cases of cryptosporidiosis pass in two weeks. Symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting. File pic: Dr_Microbe/iStock

‘Expect to see more cases’

Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall also warned the boil notice could last “at least a further six or seven days” and called for more transparency.

Professor Paul Hunter, a specialist in medical microbiology at the University of East Anglia, told Sky News if the parasite was “a continuous thing” present in water supplies for a prolonged period, then “you’d expect to see more cases” for another two weeks.

It comes as hotel owners in the area told Sky News the outbreak has led to people cancelling their stay, while a head chef said “I can’t wash salad in the sink”.

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‘Destroyed our business’

Stephen Colemansfield, owner of Redlands Guest House in Brixham, told Sky News the outbreak has “destroyed our business at the moment”.

“Our guests have cancelled because of the mixed messages that are being sent out by South West Water.”

Rob, head chef at the Steam Packet Inn in Kingswear near Dartmouth, also said his brother-in-law is one of the 46 confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis and has been sick for two weeks.

The UKHSA is working with Torbay Council, South West Water, NHS Devon and the Environment Agency on the incident.

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