Kate Middleton ultimately decided to reveal her diagnosis of cancer in the absence of her husband Prince William who was by her by her side. Princess Diana of Wales 42, who is a royal, declared she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer on March 22nd by posting a video which explained the reason for her exile from the media spotlight following abdominal surgery in January.

When Kate was all alone during the clip, questions was soon raised about what the Prince of Wales 41, did not attend the announcement. “It is a message from the princess about her health, and she wanted to personally deliver the message on her own,” an official from the palace source said in a recent report from People.

“William is extremely proud of his wife for the courage and strength she has shown not just this week but since her surgery in January, ” the source said. “Now more than ever, he’s focused on ensuring his wife has the privacy she needs to fully recover and that his children are shielded from the understandable interest in the news that has been shared.”

Kate did mention her husband and their three children The three kids – Prince George 10 and Princess Charlotte 8, and Prince Louis five – repeatedly in her messages to the public. She said, “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,” she added. “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.”

In the next video, Kate requested patience and confidentiality regarding her illness as she goes through treatment. “We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” she added. With this in mind the royals have made a decision to not attend the traditional Easter celebration held at St. George’s Chapel in order to spend the entire weekend in private at their home. Prince William is not expected to return to his duties as a royal until children start school in the latter part of April.