Kate’s moving gesture to child cancer patients: Princess has donated her hair to make wigs for young people with the disease
The Princess of Wales, who announced tonight that she has cancer at the age of 42, previously donated her hair to young people with the disease.
Kate revealed her diagnosis came as a ‘huge shock’ in an emotional video, revealing she was undergoing preventive chemotherapy treatment.
The princess, whose cancer was only discovered after an unrelated abdominal operation, has been a long-time supporter of several cancer charities.
In 2018, the future queen even cut off eight inches of her own hair to donate it to the Little Princess Trust – a charity that makes realistic wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.
The idea is said to have come to the Duchess after she had her hair cut at Kensington Palace by hairdresser Joey Wheeler, who then worked for Richard Ward Hair in Chelsea.
Kate announced in an emotional video that her diagnosis came as a ‘huge shock’ and revealed she was undergoing preventive chemotherapy treatment
Sitting on a bench in Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales has taken the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer
Catherine’s emotional and extraordinary words in her unprecedented video message
“Four months ago, Joey convinced her it was time to pull out some hair; he said it was just getting too long,” a royal source said at the time.
“As Joey was chipping away, the idea occurred to her to do something good with it instead of throwing it away. She told Joey, who thought it was a brilliant idea.
‘It was sent under someone else’s name, so the trust did not know it was from a royal source; they just thought it was from a female donor from the Kensington area.”
The source added: ‘It’s lovely to think that a little girl somewhere is happily wearing a wig made from the hair of a real princess. It’s very heartwarming what Kate has done, and very thoughtful to use what would otherwise just be thrown away.’
It is believed that Kate did not use her own name when she donated her locks to charity.
Tonight the princess made a shocking statement about her health, after weeks of speculation on social media.
Kate said her husband William has “made every effort to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
From a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossoms, the future queen said: ‘It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that suits them, and to reassure them that I will do that. OK.
“As I told them; I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit. Having William by my side is also a great source of comfort and reassurance.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were spotted together last week as William attended The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) ‘need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’
“As has the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us.”
The video comes just days after the royal couple were spotted laughing at their local farm shop.
The announcement has sent shockwaves around the world after weeks of speculation – and crazy conspiracy theories – about Kate’s health.
Her diagnosis creates a new crisis for the downsized monarchy, at a time when King Charles is also undergoing treatment for cancer.
In January, Sarah, Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.
Reacting to the public statement, Buckingham Palace said the king is “so proud of Catherine for her courage to speak as she did.”
After their time together in hospital, the king has “remained in close contact with his beloved daughter-in-law in recent weeks.”
It added that both Charles and Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the entire family at this difficult time.”
The Prime Minister also sent well wishes to the Princess, writing in a statement that his thoughts were with the Royal Family and the three children at this very difficult time.
Rishi Sunak has praised the Princess of Wales’s “tremendous courage” after announcing she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
He added that Kate had been “unfairly treated” and “subjected to intensive monitoring” in recent weeks and called for her to be given the privacy to focus on her recovery and be with her family.