In the first official video of Princess Kate since her in January, the royal revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer.

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was noncancerous. The surgery was successful,” she said in the clip, posted today to social media accounts for the Prince and Princess of Wales. “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 continued: “This of course came as a huge shock, and 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 okay. 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.”

She expressed her gratitude to husband . “Having William by my 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,” she said. “We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. 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.”

She concluded with a message of support to others similarly impacted by her condition. “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,” she said.

The news comes months after the palace announced that Kate had been hospitalized for an unspecified abdominal surgery in January. At the time, sources told Bazaar that the condition was not cancerous.

Kate on December 25 when she joined the royal family for the traditional walk to morning Christmas church service at Sandringham. After her surgery, the palace announced that she was not expected to return to royal duties until after Easter, which falls on March 31 this year.“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 January statement read. “Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’s progress when there is significant new information to share.”Her sudden absence from the public eye has on her health and whereabouts, a situation that became exacerbated when the palace of the princess and her three kids—Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis—to mark Britain's Mother's Day. Major photo wire agencies following allegations of digital alteration, leading the palace to release a attributed to Kate, who admitted to “occasionally experiment[ing] with editing.”

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