a re are jus’ft too. absolutely. if people are “ust “oininu too. absolutely. if people are “ust 'oinin~ us too. absolutely. if people are 'ust joining us on �* too. absolutely. if people are 'ust joining us on bbc, i too. absolutely. if people are 'ust joining us on bbc, you're �* too. absolutely. if people are 'ust joining us on bbc, you're veryh joining us on bbc, you're very welcome. we're covering that story. the princess of wales undergoing cancer treatment. you just want to play you that statement from princess catherine and her own words. she was filmed with the statement on wednesday, it's been released by kensington palace tonight. and it, she details that she's undergoing preventative treatment for cancer, take a listen. 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. injanuary, 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'm 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's appropriate for them, and to reassure them that i'm going to be ok. as i've 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'll 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 ofjoy, and i look forward to being back when i'm able. but for now, i must focus on making a full recovery. at this time, i'm also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. for everyone facing this disease, in whateverform, please do not lose faith or hope. you are not alone. so that, the princess of wales with a very personal message, we were told that that was actually filmed on wednesday by bbc studios in windsor. so let's speak to the

university of leeds oncologist professor susan shortt who joins us now. professorshort, professor susan shortt who joins us now. professor short, thank you for being with us. you will have heard that statement, the video message as all of us did. it's a very personal statement, isn't it, and one that we'll assume we'll do a lot of good by going public with something like this, difficult as it probably is for the family to do so, to remind people that young people can be just as susceptible to cancer but if caught early the prognosis is very good. caught early the prognosis is very aood. �* , ,., , caught early the prognosis is very aood. , caught early the prognosis is very aood. , , , caught early the prognosis is very good. absolutely. so, shocking news, of course, good. absolutely. so, shocking news, of course. and — good. absolutely. so, shocking news, of course, and never _ good. absolutely. so, shocking news, of course, and never easy _ good. absolutely. so, shocking news, of course, and never easy to - of course, and never easy to deal with, and not easy for the princess of wales for many, many reasons, clearly. but yes, i think it's a reminder that cancer is a common disease, it predominately affects older people but it does affect younger people as well. and as you say, important to recognise that the earlier it's caught, the more effectively it can be treated. in

nearly all circumstances, so that's an important part of the message and i think the prince of wales, was very brave to describe her story —— princess of wales was very brave. and put her message over. find princess of wales was very brave. and put her message over. and give us a sense of— and put her message over. and give us a sense of the _ and put her message over. and give us a sense of the process _ and put her message over. and give us a sense of the process dealing i us a sense of the process dealing with families at such a difficult time like this. it's a difficult process for someone undergoing treatment to process this and then break the news to their family. but for the royalfamily break the news to their family. but for the royal family to break the news to their family. but for the royalfamily to have break the news to their family. but for the royal family to have to do this in such a public way. absolutely, i think it's difficult for all individuals and all families, and i think this diagnosis always has to be seen in the context not only of the patient, but of their family. not only of the patient, but of theirfamily. clearly, in this bit of news, it's a very specific family, but i think as has been said, they need exactly the same time and support as anybody else would need. to cope with this.

kensington palace has described this as a recovery pathway. what do they mean by that, medically? yes. as a recovery pathway. what do they mean by that, medically?— mean by that, medically? yes, so it's a generic _ mean by that, medically? yes, so it's a generic term _ mean by that, medically? yes, so it's a generic term but _ mean by that, medically? yes, so it's a generic term but clearly - mean by that, medically? yes, so it's a generic term but clearly the | it's a generic term but clearly the princess has gone through major surgery already and that would, on its own, need a significant recovery period. but then to go into additional chemotherapy, obviously means that the journey to full recovery is going to be longer because that gives her something else that her body is got to cope with the end she will need more time and energy to get over. the kensington _ and energy to get over. the kensington palace - and energy to get over. the kensington palace also very keen, and we heard it in that statement from catherine, that this is preventative chemotherapy. what is that? , ., , ., that? yes, so there are several circumstances _ that? yes, so there are several circumstances and _ that? yes, so there are several circumstances and obviously i that? yes, so there are several| circumstances and obviously we that? yes, so there are several- circumstances and obviously we can know, we can't speculate on these

exact circumstances, where we know that if given chemotherapy after surgery, it can improve the outlook because there may be a chance of a small number of cancer cells left behind, which the chemotherapy can cope with. and so reduce the risk of the cancer coming back, even after a very effective surgery. yes. the cancer coming back, even after a very effective surgery.— very effective surgery. yes. and 'ust talk very effective surgery. yes. and just talk to _ very effective surgery. yes. and just talk to me _ very effective surgery. yes. and just talk to me about _ very effective surgery. yes. and just talk to me about the - very effective surgery. yes. and - just talk to me about the prognosis, when it is caught so early, as we are led to believe it is in this case. and in someone so young, somewhat otherwise fit and healthy. yeah, so obviously general fitness is always helpful in this circumstance, it's helpful in terms of getting over treatment surgery, and chemotherapy. and the fact that we've heard this was a early cancer

diagnosis, it also positively impacts on prognosis. diagnosis, it also positively imacts on rounosis. ., , ., impacts on prognosis. really good to have ou impacts on prognosis. really good to have you with — impacts on prognosis. really good to have you with us, _ impacts on prognosis. really good to have you with us, thank— impacts on prognosis. really good to have you with us, thank you - impacts on prognosis. really good to have you with us, thank you for - have you with us, thank you for your insight into that, grateful for your time and for being with us this evening, thank you. so let's bring in our royal correspondent sarah campbell who is with me, and that's the key message in the statement isn't it? you really get a sense of the optimism, that the prognosis is good and in katherine's words, she says she just needs to reassure the children, that i'm going to be ok. she talks about people, she says that my — she talks about people, she says that my work is always brought me a deep sense — that my work is always brought me a deep sense ofjoy, but for now i'm going _ deep sense ofjoy, but for now i'm going to _ deep sense ofjoy, but for now i'm going to focus on making a folding recovery — going to focus on making a folding recovery. certainly some is that the princess_ recovery. certainly some is that the princess is— recovery. certainly some is that the princess is irr— recovery. certainly some is that the princess is in good spirits, she's focused — princess is in good spirits, she's focused on _ princess is in good spirits, she's focused on her recovery, she will obviously— focused on her recovery, she will obviously have a very good medical team _ obviously have a very good medical team around her providing all that she needs. — team around her providing all that she needs, and you know, she is in

the place that she needs to be which is at home _ the place that she needs to be which is at home with the children, with her husband, receiving the treatment that she _ her husband, receiving the treatment that she needs. find her husband, receiving the treatment that she needs.— that she needs. and mum would help now, the that she needs. and mum would help now. the privacy _ that she needs. and mum would help now, the privacy to _ that she needs. and mum would help now, the privacy to be _ that she needs. and mum would help now, the privacy to be able _ that she needs. and mum would help now, the privacy to be able to - now, the privacy to be able to tackle that as a family. sarah, for now, thank you, stay with us, sarah campbell there, our royal correspondent. the other story we are following is the reports of death and injury after a significant gun attack at a concert hall near moscow. ijust want to take you to the live images and you can see that huge police and ambulance presence there outside the crocus city hall. the russian foreign ministry has described the incident as a terrorist attack, but is that we've seen on social media showing gunmen inside the hole, state media are still reporting that some remain inside. we understand that four people dressed in camouflage opened fire ahead of what

was due to be a rock concert. no, this venue isjust was due to be a rock concert. no, this venue is just on the outskirts of moscow where we were hearing from our correspondent earlier describing the location. so on the periphery of the location. so on the periphery of the city, but nonetheless a significant, largervenue the city, but nonetheless a significant, larger venue there. the city, but nonetheless a significant, largervenue there. so thatis significant, largervenue there. so that is the scene live. let me at this stage bring in, if i can, constantine who is a columnist at deutsche val. what can you tell us about what is unfolding right now in moscow? ~ . . about what is unfolding right now in moscow? ~ , , ., moscow? well, it seems that the count of rising _ moscow? well, it seems that the count of rising of _ moscow? well, it seems that the count of rising of those _ moscow? well, it seems that the count of rising of those who - moscow? well, it seems that the count of rising of those who were killed in this incident and other reports of a0 people that died in this, there is an unclear number of injured but it's supposed to be much higher. as well what we see is that this building, and i've been to it quite a few times in my life, it is

a very big concert venue it was several thousand seats and a shopping centre, so it is all on fire, and it seems the roof has caved in. but we've also seen as unverified video of a person being arrested or detained near the site, and what we see now is basically like two waves on social media and official channel, the official kremlin sort of media that you have calls for vengeance against the, so far unnamed terrorists. 0n calls for vengeance against the, so far unnamed terrorists. on the independent russian media which is now mostly based in exile outside of russia, there are comparisons to the infamous i999 russia, there are comparisons to the infamous 1999 on investigated apartment building bombings in moscow which led also to dozens of deaths and which propelled vladimir

putin is a strong leader to win the war in chechnya at the time. i see posts on the telegram accounts of dmitry medvedev the former president, who is already saying that if we learn these are terrorists from kyiv, we should deal with them accordingly, including the officials that sanctioned us or rather which perpetrated the surf. so you see the atmosphere is basically behind putin. irate so you see the atmosphere is basically behind putin. we have no indication that _ basically behind putin. we have no indication that this _ basically behind putin. we have no indication that this event _ basically behind putin. we have no indication that this event is - indication that this event is anywhere near over. there are conflicting reports whether gunmen remain inside whether there are people still trapped in that building, early reports suggesting that the fire had taken hold in the roof and it had collapsed. there will be huge questions tonight, once

there, about this was able to happen in moscow? . ~ . there, about this was able to happen in moscow? , ~ , , ., in moscow? yes, i think this is a big question _ in moscow? yes, i think this is a big question and _ in moscow? yes, i think this is a big question and it's _ in moscow? yes, i think this is a big question and it's interesting| big question and it's interesting that if you look at the russian social media which actually exploded, it's difficult to reach some accounts because the service overloaded and it's one of the things you hear from overloaded and it's one of the things you hearfrom both overloaded and it's one of the things you hear from both the government and inter—government bloggers, influencers, no matter what they think about it it's really, really, if it is indeed a bona fide terror attack, then how did the government let people penetrate this building with its security and there are lots of cameras there. so there are questions of course, and i'm afraid with russia's passed over the last quarter of a century, there are really lots of questions that will be asked of the kremlin.-

really lots of questions that will be asked of the kremlin. thank you for bein: be asked of the kremlin. thank you for being with _ be asked of the kremlin. thank you for being with us, _ be asked of the kremlin. thank you for being with us, i _ be asked of the kremlin. thank you for being with us, i know— be asked of the kremlin. thank you for being with us, i know this - be asked of the kremlin. thank you for being with us, i know this story| for being with us, i know this story is changing all the time but grateful for your insight right now, thank you. so as we said, there's a lot of video circulating online about what has gone on inside that concert venue. we are cake keeping a very close eye on it because some of it is pretty distressing, this video we have looked at, it does show gunmen firing inside the venue, take a look. gunshots. it gives you a sense of what might be unfolding there tonight. for gunmen in camouflage opened fire on that venue, this video supports those reports. russian media reports about 6000 people were in attendance at that concert, certainly how many tickets have been sold. they were there for the famous famous russian

rock band pick me. continuing coverage of events in moscow will continue it for viewers watching around the world, with my colleague lewis vaughanjones, stay around the world, with my colleague lewis vaughan jones, stay with around the world, with my colleague lewis vaughanjones, stay with us here on bbc news. so that is the scene in moscow, we will keep you up—to—date with any events on that but here in the uk, another story of course we are following for you tonight's news that the princess of wales says she is in early stages of treatment after a cancer diagnosis. she has described it as a huge shock and she said it's been an incredibly tough couple of months. she's issued a video message, it was recorded on wednesday but released to the media this evening. take a listen. 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. injanuary, 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'm 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's appropriate for them, and to reassure them that i'm going to be ok. as i've 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 spirit. 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'll 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 ofjoy, and i look forward to being back when i'm able. but for now, i must focus on making a full recovery. at this time, i'm also thinking of all those whose lives have

been affected by cancer. for everyone facing this disease, in whateverform, please do not lose faith or hope. you are not alone. catherine, princess of wales, ending that video message with a very personal statement. that video message with a very personalstatement. now that video message with a very personal statement. now we understand that was filmed on wednesday by bbc studios. 0ur rule correspondent sarah campbell is with me, and how would we know about how this video was filmed?— this video was filmed? that's very useful when _ this video was filmed? that's very useful when there's _ this video was filmed? that's very useful when there's so _ useful when there's so much speculation and so much distrust, i think bbc studios that was in mind about how this came out, we should say that bbc studios is a production arm of the bbc, so it separate from bbc news. but basically what the statement says is that it was a statement says is that it was a statement filmed, sorry, filmed by bbc studios by the princess of wales

this week, just making absolutely clear that they made no edits to the recording and have no editorial involvement in the message, but it was their production services that were used to put the statement together. sojust making it absolutely clear, no edits. bbc not involved in the editorial content, but that was how it came about filmed in windsor early this week, we understand wednesday. the royal famil usina we understand wednesday. the royal family using social— we understand wednesday. the royal family using social media _ we understand wednesday. the royal family using social media in _ we understand wednesday. the royal family using social media in recent. family using social media in recent years to talk directly to people who may follow them or may be interested in them. and that's quite a shift in how it's been done in years gone by. yes, and obviously there was the mother's day photograph issued in the last couple of weeks that i again added the fuel to the fire of social media because it subsequently turned out that after various picture agencies had pulled the photograph, it turned out that princess of wales said that she was like many people experimented with

photo editing and that caused a huge flurry didn't do it, and added to this frenzy online, the social media frenzy. so that was a direct photograph that came to them, they had been filming a lot of their own pictures certainly of the family and the intent is understandable in that they are trying to keep their family and trying to bring the children up in as normal a way as possible if you like, in not having them to stand in front of banks and photographers. so one understands the concept behind that, but this particular video not filmed by kensington palace, filmed by bbc studios which as i say, is not linked to bbc news, but it is part of the bbc umbrella and that was filmed on wednesday. interestingly enouah filmed on wednesday. interestingly enough talking _ filmed on wednesday. interestingly enough talking about _ filmed on wednesday. interestingly enough talking about social- filmed on wednesday. interestingly enough talking about social media | enough talking about social media he's posted this message of support on his instagram, and it he says, over the years we've climbed many

mountains together, he says as a family we will climb this one with you, too. and sarah, it's a touching message, it's a touching photo and again it serves to underlined that these are real people, they are humans, they are families going through a very difficult time. yeah, and i have to _ through a very difficult time. yeah, and i have to say _ through a very difficult time. yeah, and i have to say we _ through a very difficult time. yeah, and i have to say we spoke - through a very difficult time. yeah, and i have to say we spoke a - through a very difficult time. yeah, and i have to say we spoke a lot. through a very difficult time. yeah, and i have to say we spoke a lot in| and i have to say we spoke a lot in the last couple of hours about the royal family but of course the middleton family is hugely important part of catherine and william's life and it has been for many years, she has a younger sister pippa, james' younger brother, her parents and carol and michael middleton, they are an incredibly close family, they live not too far away from windsor, so they of course will have been a huge support her as well.- so they of course will have been a huge support her as well. sarah stay with us, huge support her as well. sarah stay with us. thank— huge support her as well. sarah stay with us, thank you. _ huge support her as well. sarah stay with us, thank you. let's _ huge support her as well. sarah stay with us, thank you. let's talk - huge support her as well. sarah stay with us, thank you. let's talk to - with us, thank you. let's talk to gareth russell who joins us, renaming to you, thank you for being with us. coming is a huge shock, what you make of the timing of the

release of this video statement tonight? i release of this video statement toni . ht? ~ release of this video statement toniaht? ~ �* . release of this video statement toniaht? ~ �*, .,, release of this video statement toniaht? ~ �*, . ., tonight? i think it's as close to the margin. — tonight? i think it's as close to the margin. if— tonight? i think it's as close to the margin, if you _ tonight? i think it's as close to the margin, if you like, - tonight? i think it's as close to the margin, if you like, of- the margin, if you like, of easter. that— the margin, if you like, of easter. that the _ the margin, if you like, of easter. that the group princess had originally requested, certainly they are aware — originally requested, certainly they are aware of this avalanche of speculation that has surrounded it, i think— speculation that has surrounded it, i think there was probably a reason behind _ i think there was probably a reason behind releasing it at six o'clock to make — behind releasing it at six o'clock to make sure it did get covered but it didn't _ to make sure it did get covered but it didn't become the main story of the week, — it didn't become the main story of the week, so the word though that seems _ the week, so the word though that seems futile i hope. it was the palace — seems futile i hope. it was the palace attempting on one hand to counteract speculation about the prirrcess— counteract speculation about the princess of wales' health, but not deviating — princess of wales' health, but not deviating too much from their own timetable — deviating too much from their own timetable which would indicate they were giving in to much to that speculation as well, sol were giving in to much to that speculation as well, so i think the timing _ speculation as well, so i think the timing suggests a tight rope of balance — timing suggests a tight rope of balance from kensington palace. yes, it is the timing — balance from kensington palace. yes, it is the timing of— balance from kensington palace. yes, it is the timing of course _ balance from kensington palace. yes it is the timing of course coming this evening for the last couple of hours that we've had that video,

although as we've just been discussing, filmed on wednesday. but if you read that statement, you hear that statement from the princess, it is very upbeat and its tone, she talks about discussing with the children about reassuring them that i'm going to be ok. it is a very upbeat message that she wants to send to the world, isn't? it is. upbeat message that she wants to send to the world, isn't?— send to the world, isn't? it is, i think that's _ send to the world, isn't? it is, i think that's absolutely - send to the world, isn't? it is, i think that's absolutely right. i send to the world, isn't? it is, i i think that's absolutely right. that is deliberate. it is also graceful and gracious message, she is not engaged — and gracious message, she is not engaged specifically with the speculation and the less upbeat tone that she _ speculation and the less upbeat tone that she has been surrounded with. this probably intentional, also hear in mind _ this probably intentional, also hear in mind if— this probably intentional, also hear in mind if you are someone with a prominent — in mind if you are someone with a prominent position and the fame of the princess of wales, if you are talking _ the princess of wales, if you are talking about something like cancer you don't— talking about something like cancer you don't want to be giving any suggestion that there is a finality to it, _ suggestion that there is a finality to it. and — suggestion that there is a finality to it, and she's very conscious as she makes— to it, and she's very conscious as she makes clear at the end of the video. _ she makes clear at the end of the video. that — she makes clear at the end of the video, that she is thinking of everyone _ video, that she is thinking of everyone else who is going through with cancer. but i do think the tone

of the _ with cancer. but i do think the tone of the video— with cancer. but i do think the tone of the video is standing in stark contrast— of the video is standing in stark contrast because in the next few weeks _ contrast because in the next few weeks were next few days, we will see a _ weeks were next few days, we will see a lot _ weeks were next few days, we will see a lot of — weeks were next few days, we will see a lot of american chat show house _ see a lot of american chat show house or— see a lot of american chat show house or daytime panelists will be asked _ house or daytime panelists will be asked some difficult questions about the speculation they've indulged in on the _ the speculation they've indulged in on the air— the speculation they've indulged in on the airabout the speculation they've indulged in on the air about her before the statement came out. sol on the air about her before the statement came out. so i think that tone is— statement came out. so i think that tone is deliberate but it's also an intentional rebuttal to some of the people _ intentional rebuttal to some of the people who have said things about her. people who have said things about her~ do— people who have said things about her. , ., ~' people who have said things about her. i. ~ , ., her. do you think the statement toniiht is her. do you think the statement tonight is enough _ her. do you think the statement tonight is enough to _ her. do you think the statement tonight is enough to put - her. do you think the statement tonight is enough to put an - her. do you think the statement tonight is enough to put an end | her. do you think the statement l tonight is enough to put an end to the speculation and rumour? you have to acknowledge _ the speculation and rumour? you have to acknowledge there _ the speculation and rumour? you have to acknowledge there is _ the speculation and rumour? you have to acknowledge there is an _ the speculation and rumour? you have to acknowledge there is an element i to acknowledge there is an element of insulting to the element of speculation, self—healing and self fulfilling _ speculation, self—healing and self fulfilling it is become a past time for some — fulfilling it is become a past time for some people and ultimately the people _ for some people and ultimately the people who will want to indulge in this and _ people who will want to indulge in this and continue to push this forward — this and continue to push this forward will not be swayed or put

off by— forward will not be swayed or put off by any— forward will not be swayed or put off by any amount of information but they are _ off by any amount of information but they are given. i also think some of they are given. i also think some of the speculation has gone so far and it has— the speculation has gone so far and it has been— the speculation has gone so far and it has been so elaborately choreographed and discussed and dissected on social media that an awful— dissected on social media that an awful lot — dissected on social media that an awful lot of people have a problem admitting — awful lot of people have a problem admitting just how wrong they were. so no. _ admitting just how wrong they were. so no, i_ admitting just how wrong they were. so no, i don't think of. the speculation, i think however, many people. _ speculation, i think however, many people. i_ speculation, i think however, many people, i think for the majority it will certainly give pause about just how quickly a lot of those conspiracy theories were mainstreamed and were not subjected to really— mainstreamed and were not subjected to really proper analysis. until the princess' — to really proper analysis. until the princess' statement.— princess' statement. yes, and we know the princess _ princess' statement. yes, and we know the princess last _ princess' statement. yes, and we know the princess last seen - princess' statement. yes, and we know the princess last seen in - princess' statement. yes, and we know the princess last seen in a l know the princess last seen in a official capacity on christmas day, as the statement makes clear she's been recovering from that surgery. but the statement is also clear on is we shouldn't expect constant updates about when she might resume public life. updates about when she might resume ublic life. . . updates about when she might resume ublic life. , . , ., ., public life. yes, which is also what the said public life. yes, which is also what they said at _ public life. yes, which is also what they said at the _ public life. yes, which is also what they said at the start _ public life. yes, which is also what they said at the start of— public life. yes, which is also what they said at the start of that - they said at the start of that lasted — they said at the start of that lasted for a brief amount of time. but i _ lasted for a brief amount of time. but i do _ lasted for a brief amount of time. but i do think knowing that the

princess— but i do think knowing that the princess unfortunately is dealing with cancer will stop some of the pressure — with cancer will stop some of the pressure for more statements and more _ pressure for more statements and more announcements and more information, but i do not think it will halt— information, but i do not think it will halt it — information, but i do not think it will halt it entirely. sol information, but i do not think it will halt it entirely. so i think the palace are trying to say we will keep you _ the palace are trying to say we will keep you informed what we will not keep you informed what we will not keep you _ keep you informed what we will not keep you informed what we will not keep you informed as regularly as you like — keep you informed as regularly as you like. part of the difficulty for the modern monarchy, all modern monarchies — the modern monarchy, all modern monarchies in fact the end of most institutions— monarchies in fact the end of most institutions is that social media is not mainstream media, it is a 24/7 beast— not mainstream media, it is a 24/7 beast that — not mainstream media, it is a 24/7 beast that is — not mainstream media, it is a 24/7 beast that is always hungry. if you don't _ beast that is always hungry. if you don't feed — beast that is always hungry. if you don't feed it it feeds itself, sol think— don't feed it it feeds itself, sol think the — don't feed it it feeds itself, sol think the palace was trying to say we are _ think the palace was trying to say we are not— think the palace was trying to say we are not going to play this game. you will get — we are not going to play this game. you will get information but it simply will not be with the rapidity that social— simply will not be with the rapidity that social media expects and demands. that social media expects and demands-— that social media expects and demands. ., ., demands. really good to have you with us tonight, _ demands. really good to have you with us tonight, thank _ demands. really good to have you with us tonight, thank for - demands. really good to have you with us tonight, thank forjoining l with us tonight, thank forjoining us. that's gareth russell there come a real commentator. 0ur us. that's gareth russell there come a real commentator. our real correspondent sarah campbell is

still with me. it's interesting hearing that from gareth about the way the monarchy has had to adapt to social media, two different forms of disseminating information. the royal family has been embracing social media, been using it to put out video messages and photos and speak to people directly, but also keenly aware of that being a place where speculation can run rampant. absolutely, it's a real double edge sword, isn't it? during the pandemic when everyone was not allowed to mix in the royal family they mostly used to say, the late queen, it had to be seen to be believed. she managed to do that by putting stuff out there on social media, recording things, and putting it out there. and the king to a certain point has been doing the same thing since his cancer diagnosis and starting treatment last month. he has still felt present in a way because the palace have let us know that audiences have been happening, there

been photographs there has been a sense that he is managing to carry on his work even if he's not appearing in public facing duty, so there is that sign social media is a very useful, direct to wait for the royal family to communicate directly with people, but as you say, there was this downside and we've seen that downside over the last six weeks or so where there has been some horrendous stuff online, and i can't imagine what it must be like to be reading some of that. i'm sure the prince and princess of wales don't spend their day reading social media but they'll certainly be aware of it and no matter how much they tried to protect their children, it's quite invasive and no doubt their children will be aware of what has been seen online, and read online in the playground, etc. so difficult, useful, it's a useful tool, but has been quite damaging and upsetting and will this put a draw a line under it where you heard

gareth saying, probably not, totally. but for the majority of people you would hope would see that statement, it will answer a lot of questions that people may have been having and hopefully people can move on and leave catherine to, as i say, time, space, privacy, that's what she wants. time, space, privacy, that's what she wants-— time, space, privacy, that's what she wants. ., , �* ., she wants. the only thing i'm going to ask ou she wants. the only thing i'm going to ask you to _ she wants. the only thing i'm going to ask you to speculate _ she wants. the only thing i'm going to ask you to speculate on - she wants. the only thing i'm going to ask you to speculate on tonight l to ask you to speculate on tonight is do you sense there will be this massive sigh of relief in buckingham palace, kensington palace tonight, that the news is out and maybe, just maybe, some of that speculation will start to come down? i maybe, some of that speculation will start to come down?— start to come down? i cannot talk for what is _ start to come down? i cannot talk for what is happening _ start to come down? i cannot talk for what is happening in - start to come down? i cannot talk. for what is happening in the palace, but clearly this diagnosis has been known for some time. we know that because she's been having this preventative chemotherapy since the end of february, but clearly the decision was taken for the sake of the children, they did not want this news out there publicly until they had finished school, and that happened today. and so yes, i'm sure it has been quite difficult to be

reading, to be in a sense wanting to give her, this is why we are doing what we're doing but be prevented to doing that, so i think there is a sense of let's get it out there but now hoping that all that speculation can stop and we'll see whether that has happened, i'm looking online and there is still some speculation going on, i hate to say. hello, i'm ben going on, i hate to say. hello, i'm lten thompson. — going on, i hate to say. hello, i'm ben thompson, we _ going on, i hate to say. hello, i'm ben thompson, we are _ going on, i hate to say. hello, i'm i ben thompson, we are bringing you special coverage of a special statement by the princess of wales, that says she is undergoing preventative treatment for cancer. it comes after she stepped back from public life to take time to recover after undergoing abdominal surgery. catherine says although it was thought at the time that her condition was noncancerous, tests have found out cancer had been present. she is in the early stages of a course of preventative chemotherapy. here is her 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've been recovering from surgery. it has 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'm so grateful. injanuary i underwent major abdominal and at the time it was thought that my condition was noncancerous. 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 will. this of course came as a huge stock 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.