Kay Burley sends heartfelt message of support to Kate Middleton as she reveals her sister is also currently battling her own cancer diagnosis

Kay Burley has shared her support with Kate Middleton after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis on Friday evening.

The 42-year-old royal, who is married to Prince William and shares Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis, has been absent from public duties since January.

And on Friday night, Kate announced she is battling a form of the disease alone in a televised address from Windsor.

Kay, 63, who has a family history of the disease, took to her Instagram Story on Saturday to share a selfie with her sister Jacqueline, who is also battling the disease.

The broadcaster wrote: ‘Thoughts with Kate and her family and hugs to all the families dealing with the specter of cancer in their family.

Kate, 42, announced in a televised address from Windsor on Friday that she is battling a form of the disease on her own after being absent from public duties since January.

“Especially my little sister, Jacqueline, who has been stoic in her determination to fight a disease that has claimed both my mother and my grandmother.”

As the two beamed as they went for a walk together in the sunshine, she added: “Doesn’t she look fantastic in her wig?”

Kay has previously opened up about how cancer has affected her life – after losing five of her loved ones to the disease.

She lost her mother Kath to breast cancer in 1993, while her grandmother died from the same condition when Kath was just 18.

Meanwhile, Kay’s friend and Labor politician Dame Tessa Jowell died in 2018 aged 70 from a brain tumor, and a week later Kay’s friend Rochelle died from the same condition.

This was followed shortly by the death of Jo, wife of Kay’s colleague Colin Brazier, who died of breast cancer weeks after Rochelle.

In an interview on Good Morning Britain in 2018, Kay broke down in tears when talking about the loss of her mother, recalling how Kath had told her she was dying and that she had to ‘look after Dad’.

The journalist has an 80 percent chance of being diagnosed herself and has regular mammograms and ultrasounds to check this.

Kay has previously opened up about how cancer has affected her life – after losing five of her loved ones to the disease

Kay lost her mother Kath to breast cancer in 1993, after her grandmother died from the same condition when Kath was just 18 (photo: 15-year-old Kay (left) with her mother Kath)

On the loss of her mother, Kay said: “My mother died when she was my age (59 at the time) and my son was eight months old.

“I remember her saying to me at the time, ‘I’m dying’ and I said, ‘I can’t live without you.’ And she said, ‘You’re going to have to take care, honey, and take care of your father.'”

The Princess of Wales made the shocking announcement on Friday evening, but did not reveal which cancer she has.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossoms, the future queen said: ‘I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding while I was recovering from surgery.

‘These have been incredibly difficult months for our entire family. But I have had a fantastic medical team that has taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

‘In January I had major abdominal surgery in London. And at the time it was thought that my condition was not cancerous.

‘The operation was successful. However, there had been tests for cancer after the operation.

‘Of course this came as a huge shock. And William and I have done 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 to start my treatment.’

Kate’s battle with cancer in her own words: Full emotional video statement from the Princess of Wales

I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding while I was recovering from surgery.

It’s been an incredibly tough few months for our whole 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 had major abdominal surgery in London and at the time my condition was deemed to be non-cancerous. The operation was successful. However, tests after the surgery revealed that cancer was present. My medical team therefore recommended that I undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

This obviously came as a huge shock, and William and I have done 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 took me time to recover from major surgery before I could start my treatment. But the most important thing is that it took us time to explain everything

George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that suits them, and to reassure them that I will be fine.

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. As does the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us.

We hope you understand that we as a family 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 also think of all those whose lives have been touched by cancer. To anyone facing this disease in any form, please do not lose faith and hope. You are not alone.