Prince William’s Absence From Wife Kate Middleton’s Cancer Announcement Video, Explained

Kate Middleton wanted to share the news of her cancer diagnosis solo. As the Princess of Wales, 42, announced she was undergoing cancer treatment on March 22, putting an end to speculation about her absence from the public eye following her abdominal surgery in January, people were quick to notice that her husband, Prince William was not by her side.

“It is a message from the princess about her health, and she wanted to personally deliver the message on her own,” a palace source shared in response to the speculation about the Prince of Wales, 41, in a report to PEOPLE shortly after Kate’s announcement.

“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 continued. “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 reference her husband and their three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 – multiple times in her message to the public, saying, “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 continued. “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.”

As the video continued, Kate asked for understanding and privacy about her condition as she undergoes 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 said. With that in mind, the royals have decided that they will skip the traditional Easter service at St. George’s Chapel in order to spend the weekend privately at home. Prince William will not return to his royal duties until the children return to school in late April.