In January 2024, Catherine, The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic to have abdominal surgery for an undisclosed medical condition. Due to her convalescence, she postponed all her public engagements and duties until after Easter 2024. Speculation about her condition prompted conspiracy theories and much commentary in the press. On March 22, 2024, Catherine announced that she is in the early stages of chemotherapy after cancer was found in tests. The type of cancer was not disclosed. She explained that when she had abdominal surgery in January, it was not known that there was any cancer. Catherine stated, “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.” Kensington Palace announced that Catherine will not return to any official duties and that Prince William’s sudden absence from a memorial service in late February for his godfather the late King Constantine II of Greece was because of the discovery of Catherine’s cancer diagnosis.

• Unofficial Royalty: Catherine, The Princess of Wales
• BBC: Full video message from Catherine, the Princess of Wales
• New York Times: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Has Cancer (shared article by Susan who is a New York Times subscriber)
• Daily Mail: Kate reveals she has cancer: Princess of Wales, 42, bravely announces she is battling disease and undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ – but reassures nation ‘I am going to be ok’ in highly emotional and unprecedented video message