Inside Amner Hall: Kate and William’s retreat where they will focus on family during cancer fight

The Princess of Wales has repeated her request for privacy as her family retreat after weeks of lurid speculation over her health culminated in the shocking revelation of her cancer diagnosis.

In a heartfelt video message released on Friday evening, Kate said it had been an “incredibly tough couple of months” for her family as she disclosed that she was in the early stages of “preventative chemotherapy” and asked for “time, space and privacy” while she completed her treatment.

The 42-year-old spoke of her “huge shock” as she explained that she underwent major abdominal surgery on 14 January for a condition that was believed to be non-cancerous, but subsequent tests identified the disease.

As messages of support flooded in from across the world, a fresh statement was issued by Kensington Palace the following night, saying Kate and Prince William are “enormously touched” by the well-wishers and are “grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time”.

The royal couple chose to share the news once their three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 – began their Easter school holidays to shield them from intense coverage of their mother’s health.

The form of cancer has not been disclosed but Kate is said to have a positive mindset over her recovery and is in good spirits, describing herself as “well and getting stronger every day”.

The announcement may go some way to ending weeks of intense speculation and conspiracy theories about the whereabouts and health of the princess.