Kay Burley has shared her support to Kate Middleton after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis on Friday night.
The royal, 42, – who is married to Prince William and shares Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis with him – has been absent from public duties since January.
And on Friday evening, Kate announced she is battling a form of the disease on her own in a televised address from Windsor.
Kay, 63, who has a family history with 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 families who are dealing with the spectre of cancer in their family.
Kay Burley, 63, has sent a heartfelt message of support to Kate Middleton as she revealed her sister Jacqueline is also currently battling her own cancer diagnosis as she took to Instagram on Saturday
Kate, 42, announced she is battling a form of the disease on her own in a televised address from Windsor on Friday after being absent from public duties since January
‘Especially my baby sister, Jacqueline, who has been stoic in her determination to take on a disease that claimed both my mother and my grandmother.’
As the two beamed while out for a walk together in the sun, she added: ‘Doesn’t she look fabulous 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 of the same condition when Kath was just 18.
Meanwhile Kay’s friend and Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell died of a brain tumour at the age of 70 in 2018, and a week later Kay’s friend Rochelle died of the same condition.
This was shortly followed by the death of Kay’s colleague Colin Brazier’s wife Jo, who died of breast cancer weeks after Rochelle.
In an interview on Good Morning Britain in 2018 Kay broke down in tears as she spoke about losing her mother, recalling how Kath had told her she was dying and to ‘look after daddy’.
The journalist carries an 80 per cent chance of being diagnosed herself and has regular mammograms and ultra sounds to monitor it.
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 of the same condition when Kath was just 18 (Pictured: 15-year-old Kay (left) with her mother Kath)
Speaking about losing her mother, Kay said: ‘My mum died when she was my age [59 at the time] and my little boy was eight months old.
‘I remember her saying to me at the time, ”I’m going to die” and I said, ”I can’t live without you”. And she said, ‘You are going to have to darling and look after your daddy”.’
The Princess of Wales made the shock announcement on Friday evening, but did not reveal what cancer she has.
Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen said: ‘I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I’ve been recovering from surgery.
‘It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family. But I’ve had a fantastic medical team who’ve taken great care of me for which I’m so grateful.
‘In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London. And at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.
‘The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation on cancer had been present.
‘This of course, came as a huge shock. And 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, it has taken me time to recover for major surgery in order to start my treatment.’
Kate’s cancer battle in her own words: The Princess of Wales’ emotional video statement in full
I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.
It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire 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 underwent major abdominal surgery in London and 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. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
This of course came as a huge shock, and 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. 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 ok.
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.
Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.
We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we 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 am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.
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