Princess Kate has cancer and is asking for privacy – again. Will we finally listen?
Princess Kate announced that she has cancer Friday, putting end to relentless, ridiculous rumors that have spun out of control in the wake of her absence from public life following a planned abdominal surgery in January.
"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," she said in a pre-recorded video. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy. And I'm now in the early stages of that treatment."
Kate – like the palace did when she first announced her planned absence – asked for privacy amid her recovery. "We hope that you'll understand that as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment," she said.
The call for privacy came after months of ongoing speculation about her whereabouts and a major photoshopping snafu the palace failed to quiet – not to mention King Charles' own cancer diagnosis.
The reality is that no family – famous or otherwise – is immune to health issues, and everyone deserves privacy when they withhold details. Serious stories often lurk behind silence.
"Public figures need privacy to cope, heal, and develop a strategy to move forward just like everyone else," Amy Morin, psychotherapist, author of "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do" and the host of a podcast, previously told USA TODAY. "Working through issues privately can give them space to manage their emotions and strategize how to move forward without the distraction of outside opinions."
Princess Kate, the royal family and medical privacy
The royals have a long, complicated history with the press. They have denounced the tabloid appetite for details in their personal lives – but have also walked hand-in-hand with the press to promote their royal duties and causes.
In recent years, Kate and Prince William have mirrored celebrities in sharing news they want to share on their social media profiles and via official royal press releases.
"Boundaries are essential to lead a healthy life," Laura Petiford, a licensed marriage and family therapist, previously told USA TODAY. "Healthy people respect the boundaries that others establish for themselves."
Kate admitted this was "a huge shock" for her young family; taking time to decompress and discover boundaries about discussing the diagnosis makes sense.
"It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that's appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I'm going to be OK," she said in her announcement. "As I've said to them, I am well. I'm getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits."
It's easy to ignore others' boundaries, however, in current times. "In the age of social media, the general public has become trained to share not only their most private moments, but to also expect others to do the same," psychologist Reneé Carr also previously told USA TODAY.
Why celebrities, royals deserve privacy too
The public often insists they deserve to know all the ins and outs of celebrities' lives. But do they really?
"If we put ourselves in their shoes, we would want to be able to have a private life especially when dealing with sensitive or difficult issues," Petiford adds. "Yes, they have chosen to lead a life that is more in the public eye but they have not forfeited their human need to draw a distinct line between themselves and those who are interested in them."
You'd want the same privacy for yourself during life's cruelest moments, wouldn't you? It couldn't have been helping Kate's recovery to read about conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory, when the painful reality likely hadn't begun to sink in.
"We need privacy to not only cope with the situation, but to also try to makes sense of what has happened or is happening to us and try to figure out how to move on," Carr adds.
Moreover, no one going through a difficult time wants to hear every opinion about their situation, whether you're a celebrity or not.
"Comments from other people can be upsetting and distracting," Morin says. "During a crisis, it's important to devote your energy to things that matter most. You only have so much time and energy and the last thing you want to do is waste it on combating outside forces that could affect your decision-making."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Princess Kate cancer diagnosis revealed. Will she finally get privacy?