Shannen Doherty shows support to Kate Middleton in their cancer fights: ‘Your strength inspires me’

Shannen Doherty showed her solidarity with Princess Kate Middleton as they confront their respective battles with cancer.

The 52-year-old Beverly Hills 90210 alum — who’s undergone a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation in her ongoing fight — took to her Instagram to share an emotional message in the wake of the Royal’s cancer announcement on Friday. 

‘Princess Kate, I admire your strength [through] the endless onslaught you’ve been under while going [through] cancer,’ the actress wrote, referencing the public scrutiny Kate has faced in recent weeks.  

The Princess of Wales, 42, has been absent from public duties since January, causing rumors to swirl about her health and whereabouts. On Friday evening, she announced she is battling cancer in a televised address from Windsor.

Shannon, meanwhile, continued to highlight the challenges she and Kate face while undergoing a health crisis in the public eye.

Shannen Doherty showed her solidarity with Princess Kate Middleton as they confront their respective battles with cancer; pictured in 2016

The 52-year-old Beverly Hills 90210 alum took to her Instagram to share an emotional message in the wake of the Royal’s cancer announcement on Friday

‘Being a public figure does not mean the public owns that person. We ALL have the right to go [through] illness or life privately,’ the star added in her social media message. 

‘The onslaught of conspiracy theories, ownership and plain morbid curiosity forced this person to explain herself before she had come to terms with it and explained to her children,’ she continued.

‘I pray this is a learning moment for us all to respect the privacy of others regardless of being in the public eye.’ 

Doherty’s words of encouragement for the princess coincide with her own journey grappling with the illness. 

The actress, who was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, recently underwent brain surgery and radiation treatment in January 2023, after learning that the cancer spread to her bones.

She continues to share weekly health updates via her Let’s Be Clear podcast.

Shannen’s supportive message also come after several celebrities have been called out for making an ill-advised jokes bout Kate days before the Royal announced she has cancer. 

Blake Lively was slated by fans after she plugged her drinks range on March 13 – and took aim at the photo-editing controversy around a family shot of the Princess of Wales and her children released on Mother’s Day in the UK.

‘Princess Kate, I admire your strength [through] the endless onslaught you’ve been under while going [through] cancer,’ the actress wrote, referencing the public scrutiny Kate has faced in recent weeks 

‘Being a public figure does not mean the public owns that person. We ALL have the right to go [through] illness or life privately,’ the star added in her message; pictured February

The actress, who was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, recently underwent brain surgery and radiation treatment in January 2023, after learning that the cancer spread to her bones

She wrote: ‘I’m so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why I’ve been MIA.’

In the wake of Middleton’s announcement of her health crisis on Friday, Lively wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m sure no-one cares today but I feel I have to acknowledge this.

‘I made a silly post around the ‘photoshop fails’ frenzy and, oh, man, that post has me mortified today.’

‘I’m sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.’

Blake was among a number of celebrities who made crass quips about Kate’s time off work – with Kim Kardashian, Andy Cohen and John Oliver all making light of the drama.

From Instagram posts to ill-informed late-night bits, they cast doubt on whether it was really the Princess spotted with Prince William at a farm shop, and compared her jokingly to the ‘Weekend at Bernies’.

In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Kate revealed the news had come as a ‘huge shock’ and that she and William ‘have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’.

It came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home, and she said her husband had been ‘a great source of comfort and reassurance’ during her cancer fight.

The Princess of Wales, 42, has been absent from public duties since January causing rumors to swirl about her well-being and on Friday evening, she announced she is battling cancer

Kate revealed the news had come as a ‘huge shock’ and that she and William ‘have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’; Pictured in November 2023

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen said: ‘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.’

Catherine’s cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

The King – who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself – and the Queen were both been informed of the news. 

In a statement His Majesty said he is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’ and remains in the ‘closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law’.  

The King and Queen said they ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’. 

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.