The Princess of Wales put her children's wellbeing at the front and centre of her announcement that she has cancer, saying she and William have been doing everything they can to 'reassure' George, Charlotte and Louis. 

Putting their children first may have something to do with the timing of Kate's announcement that she has been diagnosed with cancer aged 42 and is undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis broke up from Lambrook School in Bracknell for the Easter break on Friday and the Wales children will now spend the next few weeks at home with their mother.

Releasing her announcement on the first day of the Easter Holidays may have been timed so that her children would not immediately face questions in the playground after the news was made public.

In a deeply emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

The Princess of Wales likely waited until today to announce she had cancer diagnosis to protect her children from gossip

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Mia Tindall attend Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, she said: '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 ok.

'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. 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.'

Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

It is understood that the King – who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself – and the Queen have both been informed of the news. 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Princess of Wales has 'the love and support of the whole country' as her cancer battle was revealed and good wishes came in from around the world.

The future Queen revealed that she and her husband have been focusing on their children during this difficult time. 

She said: '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 ok. 

'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. 

'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.'

It is understood that the King – who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself – and the Queen have both been informed of the news. 

Earlier she revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a planned operation at The London Clinic two months ago. 

The Princess of Wales pictured attending the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, last year

The diagnosis took place after the future Queen underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Pictured: Police officers stand guard outside the building on January 28

'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,' she said.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. 

READ MORE Timeline of Kate Middleton's cancer fight: Princess of Wales' health battle after shock surgery two months ago to heartbreaking diagnosis and chemotherapy

'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.'

The Princess of Wales added that the news had left the family shaken and they have been coming to terms with her diagnosis in private. 

She said: '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.'

Catherine added that she and her family would like privacy while she battles the disease.

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. 

'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.'

Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

Yesterday's announcement will send shockwaves around the world and came after weeks of speculation - and wild conspiracy theories - about her health. It also creates a fresh crisis for the British Royal Family at a time where King Charles is also battling cancer. In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.

READ MORE Kate Middleton's preventative chemo explained: How cancer-fighting drugs with brutal side effects will aim to stop Princess of Wales' disease returning

It comes after sick social media trolls spent weeks spreading wild rumours about her wellbeing as palace aides refused to comment on her recovery from abdominal surgery in January.

The princess is now on what has been described as a ‘recovery pathway’ having commenced a course of chemotherapy in late February.

It is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

Kensington Palace has strongly asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has.

However they say that she is in ‘good spirits and focused on her recovery’.

‘She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her,’ a spokesman said.

‘She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.’

It is understood that the announcement was made tonight not because of unpleasant social media speculation about her health and whereabouts – although that has been upsetting and unpleasant - but because her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louise, five, broke up from school today, which gave them the opportunity to take them away privately and protect them from the inevitable public shock.

A spokesman for the princess said: ‘We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.’

However her spokesman confirmed: ‘The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy…in late February.’

The palace will not confirm how long her treatment is expected to last and has asked the media and public not to speculate.

Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the opening of Evelina London's new children's day surgery unit on December 5

The Princess of Wales arrives at the Shaping Us National Symposium at the Design Museum on November 15

Kate's cancer is for this reason that Prince William pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece (pictured)

It also said it would not confirm where her treatment would be taking place, a spokesman adding: ‘We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do.’

Asked when the princess was given the news by her doctors, a spokesman explained: ‘Once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed.’

READ MORE How William discovered Kate had cancer just before he was due to attend King Constantine of Greece's memorial service at St George's Chapel, and pulled out with moments to spare

They added: ‘The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family. ‘

A source said it had been ‘an incredibly tough couple of months for the entire family’ and it had been important for the princess to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover form her surgery and begin her pathway to recovery.

Throughout this period the couple’s children have been her priority.

It is understood that William and Kate wanted to tell their children at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public.

With the children having broken up from Lambrook School today for the Easter holidays this afternoon, they decided that now was the right time to share the statement.

Sources say their concern recently, despite global and social media speculation, was to put Catherine’s health and their children first.

It is now hoped, aides said, the speculation around the princess comes to a stop.

Catherine is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery, and has asked for people to respect her privacy. 

Princess of Wales' speech in full 

 I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. 

It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful. 

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. 

The surgery was successful. 

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. 

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 ok. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.