'Out of darkness, can come light': Kate Middleton’s Personal Video Message to the Public
How Kate Middleton’s deeply personal video redefines royal communication and highlights the strength of family through adversity.
In a deeply personal video released today from Kensington Palace, the Princess of Wales announced she has completed chemotherapy treatment. She will look to gradually return to public duties, but remains focused on her health.
The video, captured by Will Warr (@willwar on Instagram), starts with the family of five (plus Orla, the family’s black cocker spaniel) trekking into the woods for a day in nature. In a voiceover, Kate expresses the relief she feels as to finally have completed chemotherapy treatment. As clips of the children play, Kate says, “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
Cancer is scary, it can be a difficult thing for a child to process when a family member is diagnosed. Back in March, the announcement of Kate’s diagnosis was intentionally pushed forward to allow time for the children to process it, before the public did. William and Kate’s number one priority has always been their children, and it will continue to be.
The overall tone of the message is one of positive vulnerability. How going through tough times can often induce a sort of reflecting on oneself, that we weren’t entirely prepared for. She goes on to say, “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.” Kate says that this new phase, post-cancer diagnosis, and chemotherapy, is one of new hope and appreciation.
At the core of the video is family. Although the main focus is that of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, we also see Carol and Michael Middleton making an appearance. The appearance of Kate’s parents truly drives home just how vulnerable and intimate of a message this is coming from Kate. This type of messaging is new for the royals, it is another level of intimacy we’ve yet to see publicly from any other senior working royal. It is a beautifully crafted statement on the act of overcoming and the importance of leaning on your support system during tough times.
As someone intrigued by the palace’s communications strategies, I do wonder if this sort of message will continue for the Prince and Princess of Wales in the future. As we know, they do value their privacy, but this video in its deeply intimate nature, may have set a precedent for future messages and statements from Kensington Palace. Its stylization reminds me of the behind-the-scenes video from the King’s coronation in 2023, more candid and less stuffy than other videos released by the royal family.
The message ends with, “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light so let that light shine bright.” It is a radiant statement, giving hope to those dealing with their own darkness.
In the next months, the Princess of Wales will look to make a gradual return to public duties. When exactly, is still undetermined. We do know that the Princess of Wales will not accompany the Prince of Wales to the Earthshot Awards in November. However, there is a chance we may see her at the annual Westminster Christmas Concert reports say, although it is currently still unconfirmed by the palace.
For further reading:
The Princess of Wales Diagnosed with Cancer
The Royal Health Chronicles: The Balancing Act of Transparency and Privacy in Recent Announcements
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