Harry and Meghan have been joined by world leaders and celebrities in sharing messages of support for the Princess of Wales after she revealed she is receiving treatment for cancer.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a message of support for their sister-in-law in a statement, saying: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
In a personal video, the future queen said she had wanted time to explain to her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, “to reassure them that I am going to be okay”, following weeks of speculation about her health.
‘We will climb this one with you’
King Charles, who is also currently being treated for cancer, shared a message of support for his daughter-in-law, with Buckingham Palace saying: “His Majesty is so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.
“Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty 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.”
Following Kate’s announcement, her brother James Middleton posted a photo of the two of them together as children, saying the family would rally round.
“Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too,” he wrote on Instagram.
James is the younger brother of Kate and their sister, Pippa.
World leaders pay tribute to ‘courageous’ princess
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been joined by other world leaders in sharing a message of support for Kate and the royals.
In a statement shared on X, he wrote: “The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery.
“She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today… I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she’s ready.”
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Home Secretary James Cleverly wished Kate “a speedy and complete recovery and privacy and calm while she does”, while Chancellor Jeremy Hunt described her as “courageous”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the princess has “the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too” during this “distressing time”.
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Kate’s message
Former prime minister Boris Johnson wished her “all possible strength” and a “full and rapid recovery,” while his successor Liz Truss said her “thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and her family at this very difficult time”.
Humza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, said he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news and is “praying for her swift recovery”.
Vaughan Gething, first minister of Wales, said that “all of our thoughts are with you as you continue your treatment”.
Northern Ireland’s leaders, Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, have both sent messages of support on social media.
Sinn Fein’s Ms O’Neill said she was “very sorry” to hear the news and sent her best wishes.
The DUP’s Ms Little-Pengelly said Kate will be “in the thoughts and prayers of so many across Northern Ireland”.
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Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden wrote on X that he and his wife Jill “join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate”.
First Lady Jill Biden simply posted: “You are brave, and we love you.”
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French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: “In this difficult period you are going through, Brigitte and I wish you a full recovery.
“Your strength and resilience inspire us all.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote: “On behalf of Canadians, I’m sending my support as she undergoes treatment. We’re all wishing her a swift recovery.”
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Kate’s uncle Gary Goldsmith, who recently appeared on the revived Celebrity Big Brother, shared a statement on X saying: “I hope this draws a line over the continued speculation and horrible conspiracies. Let’s give Kate, William & the children time and show some love back.”
He also acknowledged an interview he has given to The Times, saying he was “deeply upset” about the timing.
“As many will have seen, I am featured in Saturday’s ‘Times Magazine’. This interview and shoot was done over a week ago and went to print before I was aware of the sad news regarding my niece Kate,” he said.
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England ‘very upset’ over Kate health
It comes as England football manager Gareth Southgate gave a brief statement after the Princess of Wales’ announcement, sharing his “best wishes to her and her family”.
Mr Southgate has a close bond with the family as Prince William is president of the Football Association.
The Three Lions boss, who was speaking ahead of tonight’s match against Brazil, said: “It was a remarkably dignified statement. We have a close relationship with the family so we’re very upset to hear the news. Hopefully everything goes well.”
‘The princess is a stomper. A real good egg’
Celebrities who have met the princess were also among the thousands of well-wishers showing support online.
Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones shared a picture of Kate on Instagram, writing: “Wales and the World is with you. HRH Princess of Wales. Love to you always.”
Author and broadcaster Giovanna Fletcher, who hosted Kate on her parenting podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby, in 2020, said “The Princess of Wales has always led with dignity, grace and compassion… I’m thinking of our future queen and hope she can now be left with nothing but everyone’s good wishes as she continues her treatment and surrounds herself with the love of her family.”
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Meanwhile, former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George, now a TV doctor campaigning on mental health issues who hosted a panel discussion with William and Kate last year, said the princess had “left a real impression” when they met for World Mental Health Day.
“I have met so many people who talk about mental health over the years, I have come to learn who talks the talk, and who walks the walk,” he said. “The princess is a stomper. A real good egg.”
Fellow Love Island star Zara McDermott, who now fronts BBC Three documentaries, also worked alongside Kate last year as part of the royal’s Shaping Us campaign – highlighting the importance of early years development.
“Sending HRH Princess of Wales so much strength and love during this time,” McDermott said in an Instagram story.
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden said the news from Kate had “personally hit me hard”, after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and received chemotherapy treatment.
She said: “I was lucky enough to meet the Princess of Wales during my treatment who was so kind, supportive and generous of time.
“Sending all my well wishes with treatment ahead and as always to all those affected by cancer.”
US actress and X-Men star Olivia Munn, who last week revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in the hope it will help others to “find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey”, also commented on Kate’s social media video.
“Thank you for showing what it’s like to fight with grace and determination for yourself and for your family. Wishing you all the best,” she said.
There was also an apology from Hollywood actress Blake Lively, who had seemingly mocked Kate after she issued a personal apology for manipulating a family photograph, sparking conspiracy theories about her whereabouts.
Referencing a now-deleted Instagram post, Lively said: “I made a silly post around the ‘photoshop fails’ frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today. I’m sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.”
Prosecutions of sub postmasters by the Department for Work and Pensions could be “tainted” as Sky News reveals officials worked with now discredited Post Office investigators to secure convictions.
Around 100 prosecutions of Post Office staff were led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 2001 and 2006.
It is understood that these usually involved the cashing in of stolen order books.
The Post Office itself wrongly prosecuted hundreds of sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015 – based on evidence from the faulty Horizon accounting system.
Therole of government
A Sky News investigation, however, has discovered that information was shared between Post Office investigation teams and the DWP.
Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Sir Robert Neill KC, said as a result DWP convictions “need to be looked at”.
More on Post Office Scandal
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“I hadn’t been aware of that, for example, there may have been material in the DWP case as a result of joint investigations – which suggests a disclosure failure,” he added.
“I think that’s the area they need to look at if we are saying their approach was tainted from the beginning – in the way the investigators adopted things – then joint operations I suspect would be just as tainted arguably as something where it has been the Post Office on its own.”
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What was known?
A 2003 DWP report into fraud describes “joint working” and the “sharing of information” with the Post Office.
It also outlines a “Fraud Prevention Board” established by the DWP and Royal Mail Group plc which includes “the exchange of information that directly assists fraud prevention and investigations”.
In addition, separately, a 2003 letter seen by Sky News also indicates a connection between DWP and Post Office investigations.
The letter, from the then post affairs minister Stephen Timms, references the case of Roger Allen, a sub-postmaster from Norwich.
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It states: “Subsequent investigations by the police, the Post Office Investigation Department and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) led to a prosecution by DWP…”
Roger Allen was convicted in 2004 of stealing pension payments and was sentenced to six months in prison. He died in March of this year.
Mr Allen had pleaded guilty to spare his wife – after his lawyer told him in a letter that there had been “an indication from the Crown that they may discontinue the proceedings against Mrs Allen were you minded to plead guilty”.
Despite the Criminal Cases Review Commission deciding Mr Allen had grounds to appeal against his conviction – it was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2021.
DWP prosecutions are not covered in upcoming government legislation that will overturn Post Office convictions.
Fighting to clear names
Keren Simpson, Roger’s daughter, has vowed to fight to clear his name posthumously.
She describes her father as a “proud” and “honest” man who “couldn’t face or deal” with the fact his conviction would not be overturned.
She says “in the end he obviously gave up” and there is “very little surviving evidence” because of the passage of time.
“He’s the innocent one,” Keren states. “I don’t see why he’s got to try and prove it. They have got to try and prove it, and show what evidence they actually had on my dad.
“Because the Department of Work and Pensions have put a statement out saying there was surveillance and witness testimonies and physical evidence to show it.
“Show me it.”
Investigation failures?
Sky News has also seen documents that suggest failures by DWP investigators in a different case in the 2000s.
It involved a sub-postmaster who decided to plead not guilty and was acquitted of stealing by a jury.
In one extract it says a “senior investigating officer” was “willing to admit in open court that (they) had been neglectful in (their) duty in securing evidence”.
Another document appears to show a failure to review transaction logs used as evidence against the sub-postmaster.
Some logs appear to show that the accused did not cash the “dockets”, used to collect pension payments.
Other transaction logs indicate the sub-postmaster was not present at a particular branch when the theft was alleged to have occurred.
Chris Head, former sub-postmaster and a campaigner for others, has also seen the documents and says they point to a “deeply flawed” DWP investigation.
“…they failed to obtain all transaction logs for the entirety of this case, but the ones that they have, they have they clearly haven’t looked at.”
He believes there are “more cases out there” which could be “part of a miscarriage of justice”.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We do not recognise these claims.
“DWP investigates offences against the welfare system to protect taxpayers’ money, and between 2001 and 2006 a small number of Post Office staff were convicted for welfare-related fraud.
“These cases involved complex investigations and were backed by evidence including filmed surveillance, stolen benefit books and witness statements – they did not rely on Horizon evidence, and this has been accepted by the Court of Appeal.”
The Post Office says it “continues to help other prosecuting authorities to ensure that they have every assistance in taking their work forward”.
“This includes sharing all the information we have in relation to prosecutions which have been brought by other prosecutors.”
Meanwhile, Lord Sikka has tabled an amendment in the House of Lords to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill to include all DWP convictions.
But what is the parasite that is making people sick, what are the symptoms of being infected with it and how serious can it be?
What is cryptosporidiosis disease?
Cryptosporidiosis is the disease caused by the parasite cryptosporidium.
Often shortened to crypto, infections can be caused by drinking contaminated water or swallowing contaminated water in swimming pools or streams.
It can also be acquired through contact with the faeces of infected animals or humans.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include:
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• profuse watery diarrhoea • stomach pains • nausea or vomiting • low-grade fever • loss of appetite
How long does it last?
Most people develop symptoms within one to 12 days of picking up the parasite.
Symptoms usually last for about two weeks, but can last up to six weeks or longer when the immune system is not working properly.
During the illness, you might think you are getting better but the illness returns a couple of days later before you fully recover.
How serious is it?
Most people recover, but in people with severely weakened immune systems it can cause severe disease and can be fatal.
Serious cases and death used to be more common, according to Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA).
This is because before effective antiretroviral treatments were introduced for HIV/AIDS, people living with these illnesses would not recover if they picked up cryptosporidiosis.
Who is most at risk of serious illness?
People with weak immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness. This includes:
• people on some immunosuppressive drugs, for example cancer or transplant patients • people with untreated HIV/AIDS • malnourished children
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Residents ‘worried’ over water parasite
Does it need treatment?
There is no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis.
It important to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration, according to advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
You might also want to talk to a pharmacist about oral rehydration sachets to help replace the sugar, salts and minerals the body has lost.
Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay’s Director of Public Health, said anyone with “severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea” should contact NHS 111 or their GP.
Severe cases may require hospital treatment.
How do you know if you have crypto?
The symptoms of crypto are similar to other stomach bugs, so the only way to know for sure if you have it is for your doctor to send a sample of your faeces to be tested in a laboratory.
The inquiry into how nurse Lucy Letby was able to murder babies at a hospital in Chester will begin to hear evidence in September.
Lawyers for the families of Letby’s victims told a preliminary hearing that the inquiry should be live streamed to the public to prevent the spread of “grossly offensive” conspiracy theories.
Letby was sentenced to 14 whole-life orders after she was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others while working on the neo-natal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016.
At the preliminary hearing, inquiry chair Lady Justice Thirlwall heard submissions on whether the hearings should be publicly broadcast.
Peter Skelton KC, on behalf of the families of six babies, said Letby’s crimes continued to be the subject of conspiracy theories online.
“One of the most effective antidotes to those theories and the damage they cause will be to see and to hear the people involved in the hospital give a true and comprehensive account of the facts,” he said.
But Andrew Kennedy KC, representing the Countess of Chester, said there was a “high level of anxiety” from staff at the prospect of giving evidence which was live streamed.
He said: “If a witness is concerned about live-streaming then if we can remove that concern we can, we would suggest, encourage candour, frankness and openness.”
Richard Baker KC, representing some of the other families, said: “Their desire in this case is for change and so that others do not experience what they have experienced.”
They were “saddened” and “concerned” at the suggestion the lack of transparency might continue, he said.
Lady Justice Thirlwall will give her decision on whether the hearings will be broadcast at a later date.
She had begun the proceedings with a pause for reflection on the “lives lost”, “injuries sustained” and “suffering” of the families.
The hearing was told 188 requests for information had been made to individuals including midwives, nurses, doctors, managers and members of the hospital board.
The inquiry hearings are scheduled to begin on 10 September at Liverpool Town Hall.
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The parents of the babies will be among the first to give evidence.
Counsel to the inquiry Rachel Langdale KC told the hearing: “There are no sides. It is a search for the truth.”
Last month Letby asked the Court of Appeal for permission to mount a full legal challenge to her conviction. Judges are due to rule on this at a later date.
The former nurse is due to face a re-trial next month on one charge of the attempted murder of a baby in February 2016.