Princess Catherine

Princess Kate announced on Friday March 22nd that she was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. This is after months of speculation about why she hasn’t been seen in public, since announcing she had surgery on January 16, and would not be back to public duties until after Easter. Upon hearing the announcement that she had undergone abdominal surgery and would be away for over two months; I instinctively knew she was dealing with something very serious. 

One of the reasons I felt all was not well is – I myself had many health challenges over the years. Two weeks in a hospital is also fairly long for the average procedure. The lady tried to convey she was unwell, without compromising her privacy and dignity. She had surgery and was hospitalized for two weeks. Then it was announced she would not be back to her royal duties until after Easter. What more was needed to be said? Perhaps this affected me because I was around the same age as the Princess when I first started to develop health problems. I saw the devastation in her face during her video announcement.

I knew immediately that the princess was not well after her initial announcement in January, and needed time to recover. I do not understand why so many people did not understand this. Why was there so much speculation about this woman’s whereabouts? She had already announced something incredibly personal when she stated that she had undergone abdominal surgery. Why was that not enough to satisfy people’s seemingly insatiable curiosity?

The world speculated about this poor woman’s marriage and personal life, while she was struggling to come to terms with her diagnosis and subsequent treatment. I think the way she was treated was very insensitive and lacking consideration. There was no empathy. It is none of anyone’s business what type of surgery she actually had. That is personal. When you are very ill and many times struggling to come to terms with a devastating diagnosis, you cannot satisfy the curiosity of the entire world. What does that accomplish by knowing the exact nature of someone’s illness? Can you do anything to help? All it does is encourage further gossip.

I would urge people to be more mindful of people’s suffering….regardless of who that person may be. I realize these are extremely famous and wealthy people. They are royalty no less. She is a public figure. They are not ordinary folks. But; they are human beings. It is very difficult discussing illness and body parts with anyone – far less with complete strangers. You feel very vulnerable, and it sometimes makes whatever you are experiencing more unbearable. I wrote in a previous post…Is There Such A Thing As Bad Luck?….about how disclosing your illness or tragedies, doesn’t necessarily mean people will be kinder to you. I still firmly hold that belief.

Be mindful that Princess Kate is still coming to terms with her illness…give her time to process this. Maybe she will then divulge more. That is her decision. Show more empathy and compassion towards your fellow man. Please realize, sickness can affect anyone, despite your privilege or wealth. It does not discriminate. Sometimes we think we are immune from such things, especially if we are young, well-off and life has always been good to us. The truth is; none of us knows what our future holds, try as we might to control it. Be kind.