Kate Middleton announced to the public today that she has been diagnosed with cancer.
Queen Elizabeth II famously described 1992 as “an annus horribilis” — and she said it before her son and heir, then Prince Charles, separated from Diana that December.
This year’s first quarter isn’t even over, but it’s safe to say this will rank as another annus horribilis for the British royal family.
King Charles III, 75, was diagnosed with cancer in January, barely more than a year into his reign. His son and heir Prince William’s wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, that month underwent an unnamed abdominal surgery so serious that she’ll be out of commission past Easter.
Not seen at a public engagement since Christmas, she finally ended the frenzy of speculation Friday, announcing via video the “huge shock” that she has cancer and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
Let’s hope these things don’t come in threes — this is already more than any family should have to bear.
The thinner-than-usual princess shared the news with her usual warm grace, though she clearly found it difficult.
She reminded us she’s always seemed meant to be queen.
