gunfire. panic as gunmen open fire and trigger explosives inside a concert hall near moscow. the venue was hosting a rock concert, and was packed with people. the search is on for the attackers, who are believed to have escaped, having left a trail of death and destruction of the concert hall. and this is the scene live tonight, with the emegency and security services out in force. on bbc london, money donated after the murder of sarah everard princess of wealth to the world she's been treated for cancer and why she speaking now and did the intense public interest in the condition play a part.

good evening. we begin tonight with the news revealed in the last few hours, that the princess of wales is undergoing treatment for cancer. catherine made the deeply personal announcement herself in a video message, and this is what she said 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 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. the princess of wales in her statement there. daniela relph is here, our royal correspondent. there is a quiet dignity and a strength in those words? there is. it is the princess _ strength in those words? there is. it is the princess as _ strength in those words? there is. it is the princess as we _ strength in those words? there is. it is the princess as we have - strength in those words? there is. it is the princess as we have neveri it is the princess as we have never seen her before. in all her years in public life, i don't think she has ever spoken as personally or as openly about how she is feeling, about her family and what is going on in her private life. it is

catherine in her own words, and it is extremely powerful. what it will also do is go some way to dampen down all of those conspiracy theories and speculation that has been following her in recent weeks. this is a princess who was talking directly to the public. my report now looks back on what has been an unsettled period for the whole of the royal family. this was the last official footage of the princess of wales with the royal family, on christmas day at sandringham, with her three children who she is now so keen to protect after going public with news of her diagnosis. back in december, all seemed well as she spoke to the crowd. thank you so much, it is very sweet of you to come and say hello to us. very happy christmas. but three weeks later she was admitted to hospital for major abdominal surgery. it was in her post—operative tests that signs of cancer were found.

tonight, buckingham palace issued a statement on behalf of the king. he said he was so proud of catherine for her courage in speaking as she did. and that he remained in the closest contact with his beloveds daughter—in—law throughout the past weeks. he also said that he and the queen will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time. a message from california, the relationship is still strained, but that you can't duchess of sussex issued their own statement. harry and meghan said we wish health and healing for kate and the family and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace. but perhaps the most personal message of all came from the princess's brother on instagram. james middleton posted a childhood photo with his sister and wrote, over the years, we have climbed many mountains together, as a family, we will climb this one with you too. the clamour for information about the princess's condition has been intense. this footage, published

earlier this week, filmed by a member of the public, showed her shopping in windsor with her husband last weekend and this photo, released on mother's day, to ease some of the public speculation, did the opposite, with the princess issuing a statement to say she had made some edits to the image. a turning point appears to have been this thanksgiving service in windsor, for king constantine of greece at the end of february. the rest of the royal family were there but the prince of wales pulled out that morning, very suddenly, due to a personal matter. we now know this was around the time the princess was diagnosed and began her treatment. it has been an incredibly turbulent time for the family. the couple's priority has been to protect their children and ensure they have time to explain what is wrong to prince george, princess charlotte and prince louis. they now hope the speculation will stop as they spend time privately as a family for the easter break.

in windsor, there was sympathy and support for the princess. she in windsor, there was sympathy and support for the princess.— support for the princess. she has been very brave _ support for the princess. she has been very brave to _ support for the princess. she has been very brave to set _ support for the princess. she has been very brave to set the - support for the princess. she has been very brave to set the record straight and i am hoping she will now get some privacy for her and her family. it now get some privacy for her and her famil . , now get some privacy for her and her famil. , ,, now get some privacy for her and her famil. , .,�* , family. it is sad, you don't wish that on anybody, _ family. it is sad, you don't wish that on anybody, whoever- family. it is sad, you don't wish that on anybody, whoever they| family. it is sad, you don't wish - that on anybody, whoever they are. the princess will not be back to a full programme of public duty for some time. we might see her occasionally, but only when her medical team have approved. for now, the princess of wales wants time, space and privacy to deal with her diagnosis and recovery. fergus walsh, our medical editor, is here, along with daniela. you mentioned harry and meghan in your report, this must be so difficult for them, being so far away? it difficult for them, being so far awa ? , ., difficult for them, being so far awa ? , . , ., ., away? it is, that statement from california came _ away? it is, that statement from california came to _ away? it is, that statement from california came to us _ away? it is, that statement from california came to us a _ away? it is, that statement from california came to us a couple i away? it is, that statement from california came to us a couple of| california came to us a couple of hours after the official statement here. wishing kate health and healing. what we don't know is when harry and meghan were told about the

princess's diagnosis. the relationship between the two brothers is still really strained and very poor. and both sides, kensington palace and arch well, you represent harry and meghan in california, say they will not discuss any private conversations. the bottom line is that we now have a clearer sense of the trauma the family have been going through over the last few days and weeks? clearly come on a personal— the last few days and weeks? clearly come on a personal level, _ the last few days and weeks? clearly come on a personal level, been - the last few days and weeks? clearly come on a personal level, been a - come on a personal level, been a terrible time for them. it has also been a very unsettling time for the whole of the royal family. we are in the extraordinary position where we have both the king and the princess of wales undergoing cancer treatment. buckingham palace had been keen to show the king at work, doing constitutional duties, because he is the monarch and they want to show us exactly what he is still able to do. there isn't that same pressure on the princess of wales. don't expect to see much of her in the weeks to come. she will want to make her recovery in private.

fergus, just firm up for us exactly what we do know and don't know about the princess's condition? the what we do know and don't know about the princess's condition?— the princess's condition? the cancer was found after— the princess's condition? the cancer was found after successful _ the princess's condition? the cancer| was found after successful abdominal surgery— was found after successful abdominal surgery in_ was found after successful abdominal surgery injanuary, which was found after successful abdominal surgery in january, which was thought— surgery in january, which was thought to be noncancerous, but subsequent tests showed that cancer had been _ subsequent tests showed that cancer had been present, and the princess is now_ had been present, and the princess is now having what they term preventative chemotherapy. chemotherapy is an umbrella term for any drug _ chemotherapy is an umbrella term for any drug treatment that kills cancer cells _ any drug treatment that kills cancer cells it_ any drug treatment that kills cancer cells it can — any drug treatment that kills cancer cells. it can be given through an infusion, — cells. it can be given through an infusion, a — cells. it can be given through an infusion, a drip into the arm. 0r, increasingly— infusion, a drip into the arm. 0r, increasingly now, targeted treatment through— increasingly now, targeted treatment through tablets that you can take at home _ through tablets that you can take at home we _ through tablets that you can take at home. we are not being told what type of— home. we are not being told what type of cancer she had, nor what stage _ type of cancer she had, nor what stage it — type of cancer she had, nor what stage it was caught out. i'm not going _ stage it was caught out. i'm not going to — stage it was caught out. i'm not going to speculate on that. kensington palace says, like all patients, — kensington palace says, like all patients, she has a right to medical privacy _ patients, she has a right to medical privacy at — patients, she has a right to medical privacy. at the tone of catherine's video— privacy. at the tone of catherine's video statement was really positive and upbeat, and she has told her

children— and upbeat, and she has told her children i— and upbeat, and she has told her children i am well and getting stronger— children i am well and getting stronger every day.— children i am well and getting stronger every day. what is also sad is the truth, — stronger every day. what is also sad is the truth, frankly, _ stronger every day. what is also sad is the truth, frankly, that _ stronger every day. what is also sad is the truth, frankly, that the - stronger every day. what is also sad is the truth, frankly, that the news i is the truth, frankly, that the news of her cancer diagnosis and news of treatment, it is familiar for so many families right across the country. also, having to break that news to loved ones, including children? ~ , ., news to loved ones, including children?— news to loved ones, including children? ~ , ., ., ., children? absolutely, one in two of us will aet children? absolutely, one in two of us will get a _ children? absolutely, one in two of us will get a cancer _ children? absolutely, one in two of us will get a cancer diagnosis - children? absolutely, one in two of us will get a cancer diagnosis at - us will get a cancer diagnosis at some _ us will get a cancer diagnosis at some point in our lives, most of us later— some point in our lives, most of us later in— some point in our lives, most of us later in life — some point in our lives, most of us later in life. at some, like kate, earlier — later in life. at some, like kate, earlier. many, like catherine, will have _ earlier. many, like catherine, will have to _ earlier. many, like catherine, will have to share that diagnosis with young _ have to share that diagnosis with young children. today in the uk, like every— young children. today in the uk, like every day, 1000 people are told they have _ like every day, 1000 people are told they have cancer. it is a staggering statistic _ they have cancer. it is a staggering statistic. there are 3 million people — statistic. there are 3 million people now living in the uk with cancer — people now living in the uk with cancer. the princess addressed them direclly— cancer. the princess addressed them directly at _ cancer. the princess addressed them directly at the end of her statement, saying, please do not lose faith — statement, saying, please do not lose faith or hope, you are not alone — lose faith or hope, you are not alone i— lose faith or hope, you are not alone. i think that is a key

message. it alone. i think that is a key message-— alone. i think that is a key message. alone. i think that is a key messate. , ., ., message. it is, right at the end of that statement. _ message. it is, right at the end of that statement. thank _ message. it is, right at the end of that statement. thank you - message. it is, right at the end of that statement. thank you very i message. it is, right at the end of. that statement. thank you very much indeed. we will have more on this later in the programme. our other top story tonight is an unfolding tragedy in russia. the state security services say at least a0 people are dead and over 100 injured after heavily armed gunmen burst into a packed theatre near moscow and opened fire. it happened at the crocus concert hall, part of which is in flames after explosives were detonated. steve rosenberg, our russia editor, has the very latest from moscow and there are some upsetting scenes in his report. screaming. gunshots. a russian concert hall under attack. gunshots. gunmen had stormed the venue near moscow, the crocus city hall. they went on the rampage, shooting their way through the building. and into the auditorium. there was supposed to be a rock concert here. shooting.

instead, this. the attackers walked through the stalls, firing indiscriminately. dozens of people are reported to have been killed. "they have set the hall on fire, the hall's on fire," he says, as more shots ring out. then, the rush to escape. "there is panic, panic," she says, as the crowds fled from the auditorium, trying to get out. soon the whole building was ablaze. the mayor of moscow said it was a terrible tragedy. the russian foreign ministry called it a bloody terrorist attack. "i saw how the terrorists came in and started shooting everyone," he says. "we were led to an exit but it was locked. we ran around, looking for a way out. in the end, we went into the basement and waited for the emergency services." police and russian special forces rushed to the scene. some of the attackers are reported to have escaped. the search is on to find them.

two weeks ago, the us embassy here issued a warning that extremists planned to target large gatherings in moscow, including concerts, within 48 hours. it is not clear whether there is any connection between that alert and this attack. the images are just horrible. and just hard to watch. and our thoughts, obviously, are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack. who were the attackers? there has been no confirmation on their identities from the russian authorities but late tonight, islamic state claimed responsibility for the attack. the scale of destruction and loss of life is becoming clear after an assault on civilians that has shocked russia. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. shocked, the operative word. any word on the whereabouts of the

attackers? did they get away? the latest attackers? did they get away? tie: latest information we attackers? did they get away? tt2 latest information we have is they did get away, possibly in a white car. so the search is on to find them. who were they? ukraine has said it had nothing to do with this attack. as i mentioned in that report a short while ago, there were reports that islamic state had claimed responsibility for the attack on the concert hall. the russian authorities have yet to comment on that. vladimir putin has made no public comments on what happened at the crocus city hall, but we are told he has been kept up—to—date with events. meanwhile, security has been stepped up at key installations, for example at airports, railway stations. of course, questions are already being asked. how is it possible for armed men to get into a very prominent concert venue, where there were

potentially thousands of people attending this concert, and carry out such a bloody attack? especially since earlier this month us diplomats had warned that some kind of attack on a public gathering in moscow, possibly a concert, was imminent. the americans were talking about an attack within 48—hour is, it didn't happen. but of course what we have seen tonight in moscow was a terrible attack, at least dozens of people killed, and an attack which has shocked this whole country. you mentioned islamic state claiming responsibility, is that a shock or a surprise to people where you are potentially?— surprise to people where you are otentiall ? , , ., , potentially? there were suggestions that an attack _ potentially? there were suggestions that an attack from _ potentially? there were suggestions that an attack from is _ potentially? there were suggestions that an attack from is was _ potentially? there were suggestions that an attack from is was possible i that an attack from is was possible here so perhaps it will not come as so much of a shock but as i said, the search continues for the attackers and perhaps we will have

more information on this tomorrow. 0k, more information on this tomorrow. ok, the live shot of the scene outside the concert hall, security of course incredibly stepped up. thank you, steve rosenberg in moscow. let's get reaction from washington with sarah smith, and in kyiv is sarah rainsford. sarah, what are the white house saying about this?— saying about this? here, us officials are _ saying about this? here, us officials are saying - saying about this? here, us officials are saying that - saying about this? here, us - officials are saying that america does have intelligence which they believe confirms that islamic state were responsible for this attack. and they believe the statement made by isis. our news partner here in america, cbs, has a source that says there has been a steady stream of intelligent dating as far back as november saying that isis wanted to strike in moscow and that that intelligence was shared with russian

authorities under what is known as the duty to warn. it has been assumed that the warning the state department put out, that steve rosenberg refer to, telling americans to stay away from large gatherings including concerts because the us was monitoring reports that extremists were preparing to strike imminently, it is presumed that was related to this intelligence about islamic state wanting to strike in moscow. {litter intelligence about islamic state wanting to strike in moscow. over to k iv and wanting to strike in moscow. over to kyiv and sarah _ wanting to strike in moscow. over to kyiv and sarah the _ wanting to strike in moscow. over to kyiv and sarah the ukrainians - wanting to strike in moscow. over to kyiv and sarah the ukrainians were l kyiv and sarah the ukrainians were very quick to make it clear they were not part of this and were not responsible? were not part of this and were not reaponsible?_ responsible? yes, and i think because russia _ responsible? yes, and i think because russia and _ responsible? yes, and i think because russia and ukraine l responsible? yes, and i think. because russia and ukraine are responsible? yes, and i think- because russia and ukraine are at war, it was inevitable that some might suggest that kyiv was in some way involved but we had very quickly from official to hear that was not the case under the foreign ministry put out a statement saying it categorically rejects any kind of accusation of ukrainian involvement and we heard from a presidential adviser saying ukraine had nothing to do with it and said there was no way ukraine would attack civilians

in this way and that ukraine's war with russia it would be decided on the battlefield. ukrainian military intelligence went much further and impact accused russia of stating the attack, saying it needs to bolster its support for war and mobilisation to find more soldiers to fight for vladimir putin's won ukraine. there is no evidence of that, of course these are two countries very much involved in an information and psychological war as well as on the battlefield so there is a lot still unclear but i can tell you that here in ukraine, as the news about attack in ukraine, as the news about attack in moscow was coming in, there was fear here because people were worried that ukraine would be blamed and that would have consequences here in ukraine, that they could be an escalation of the russian war on ukraine, more devastating attacks just after last night we saw 150 missiles and drones fired by russia right across ukraine. {lilia

missiles and drones fired by russia right across ukraine.— right across ukraine. ok, sarah rainsford in _ right across ukraine. ok, sarah rainsford in kyiv _ right across ukraine. ok, sarah rainsford in kyiv and _ right across ukraine. ok, sarah rainsford in kyiv and sarah - right across ukraine. ok, sarah l rainsford in kyiv and sarah smith right across ukraine. ok, sarah - rainsford in kyiv and sarah smith in washington, thank you. the big question — who was responsible for what is the worst terror atack in russia in many years? gordon corera, our security correspondent, is with me. it seems like the finger of blame is being moved away from ukraine and we heard the americans, sarah smith suggesting it was islamic state —— is a mistake. suggesting it was islamic state -- is a mistake-— suggesting it was islamic state -- is a mistake. and we have had this statement from _ is a mistake. and we have had this statement from them _ is a mistake. and we have had this statement from them saying - is a mistake. and we have had this - statement from them saying they were responsible and their attackers had somehow got back to their bases safely, that was the language they used but we cannot independently confirm that at this point. occasionally we have seen false claims from the group in the past so we have to have some caution however i think it was always a strong possibility. why? because of the nature of the attack, marauding gunmen going around trying to kill as many civilians as possible, that is the kind of thing we have seen isis do in the past, like we saw at the concert in paris in 2015 at the bataclan theatre, something very similar. we will have to wait for further confirmation, important to

see what moscow said as we heard from sarah rainsford and sarah smith, there has been this concern that perhaps the russians might try to blame ukraine and what that would mean and because you have this intelligence that the us clearly had, pointing to a possible attack around march seven on a concert, thatis around march seven on a concert, that is significant because it suggested the us might have intercepted communications or had some kind of intelligence pointing to this but the russians appear to have dismissed it publicly after the americans went public so that will raise big questions for moscow about what they knew and how seriously they took it. what they knew and how seriously they took it— they took it. which might explain wh we they took it. which might explain why we have _ they took it. which might explain why we have not _ they took it. which might explain why we have not heard _ they took it. which might explain why we have not heard from - they took it. which might explain - why we have not heard from vladimir putin yet so to be clear, the americans would have communicated this intelligence to the russians despite the enmity between them? that's right, they made it public, but they put it on the website for us citizens that there was this one at the russians described it as propaganda. i think there will raise questions always the question after an attack like this, could it have

been stopped? but here, if there are signs a warning was dismissed, that could be very awkward for moscow and very difficult. i think it will be very difficult. i think it will be very important to see what vladimir putin says and how moscow responds to this. . ~ putin says and how moscow responds to this. ., ,, i. ., to this. indeed. thank you, gordon corera, our — to this. indeed. thank you, gordon corera, our security _ to this. indeed. thank you, gordon| corera, our security correspondent. in ukraine, more than a million people have been left without electricity after russia carried out mass air strikes last night against power stations and energy lines. ukraine's biggest hydroelectric power plant at zaporizhzhia was hit, along with the vast dam across the dnipro river that supplies it with water. the asterix caused blackouts across much of ukraine —— the air strikes. neighbouring countries including poland and slovakia have provided emergency power supplies. a few of the other stories making the news tonight, and america's top diplomat,

antony blinken, has accused russia and china of having "cynically vetoed," a us draught resolution at the un security council that tied an immediate ceasefire in gaza to the release of hostages held by hamas. but moscow and beijing said the text put conditions on a pause in the fighting, and failed to clearly oppose an israeli offensive in the heavily built—up city of rafah. here, west yorkshire police are investigating alleged racist comments made by the conservative party donor frank hester about the mp diane abbott back in 2019. officers say they're looking into whether a crime was committed. mr hester has previously insisted his criticism of ms abbott had nothing to do with her gender or skin colour. and he has apologised. england's manager gareth southgate has insisted the three lions crest is the most important part of the national team shirt. the football association has faced criticism of

the latest kit from the prime minister, rishi sunak, and labour leader sir keir starmer after shirt manufacturer 90 of the appearance of the st george's cross using purple and blue horizontal stripes and what it called a playful update to the shirt ahead of euro 202a. i think the most important thing on an england shirt is the three lions, thatis an england shirt is the three lions, that is our iconic symbol and what distinguishes us but only from teams around the world but from england rugby and cricket.— around the world but from england rugby and cricket. gareth southgate, the encland rugby and cricket. gareth southgate, the england football— rugby and cricket. gareth southgate, the england football manager. - let's return to our top story, and the princess of wales' announcement that's she's undergoing treatment for cancer. it has been a turbulent few months for the royal family and a vacuum of information in recent days and weeks has led to frenzied speculation about what's been happening with the prince and princess of wales, as david sillito reports. when, injanuary, a brief statement was made that the princess of wales was to have a medical procedure and a period of convalescence, it was meant to be a chance

to escape the daily pressures of media scrutiny. but what ensued was a deluge of speculation, conspiracy and debate. where is kate middleton? it has been crazy how much speculation about kate has taken over the internet. you are seeing it all across the world. you even seen people who don't normally pay attention to the royal family getting involved and speculating and throwing theories around. you're also seeing a lot ofjokes and a lot of memes. but within that there is a growing core group of people who are genuinely concerned about kate and her health. on tiktok, the running total of views of videos about the princess of wales has topped 1a billion. it is a beautiful shot of a mum and three happy kids. - one of the drivers of this interest was this photo which was revealed to have been digitally altered. and even when footage emerged of the royal couple at a farm shop in windsor,

there were still many wondering if this was ai trickery or a body double. the mood has rather changed with the release of the statement gone by the bbc�*s production arm which said in a statement of there was also an assurance that there was also an assurance that there were no edits in the video. we there were no edits in the video. 2 obviously all heard the terrible news and our thoughts are with the duchess of cambridge and her family. the statement brought an immediate response, here at the white house with a message of support and a plea for privacy. we with a message of support and a plea for riva . ~ , ., for privacy. we will be dealing with a breakin: for privacy. we will be dealing with a breaking news... _ for privacy. we will be dealing with a breaking news... from _ for privacy. we will be dealing with a breaking news... from press- for privacy. we will be dealing with a breaking news... from press and ublic is a breaking news... from press and public is always — a breaking news... from press and public is always part _ a breaking news... from press and public is always part of _ a breaking news... from press and public is always part of royal- a breaking news... from press and public is always part of royal life i public is always part of royal life but the last few weeks have been on a different level. family taking a moment to step back as they deal with what has just emerged has led to a social media storm but now the chief executive of x, or twitter as it used to be, has called for calm.

it is, she says commercially reasonable to respect the princess of wales' request for time, space and privacy. it of wales' request for time, space and privacy-— of wales' request for time, space and riva . ., , . ., , and privacy. it means so much to us both. we and privacy. it means so much to us both- we will _ and privacy. it means so much to us both. we will hear _ and privacy. it means so much to us both. we will hear from _ and privacy. it means so much to us both. we will hear from daniela - both. we will hear from daniela relh in both. we will hear from daniela relph in a _ both. we will hear from daniela relph in a second. _ mark easton is live for us now at buckingham palace. after the cancer diagnosis of the king, this is another significant blow to royalfamily? king, this is another significant blow to royal family? absolutely, it reall is blow to royal family? absolutely, it really is another _ blow to royal family? absolutely, it really is another significant - blow to royal family? absolutely, it really is another significant blow. i really is another significant blow. catherine is such an important part of the royal family and the slimmed down monarchy means it is notjust a personal matter but a professional one as well, that a slimmed down monarchy looking dangerously stretched tonight with the king unable to take part in many public duties, prince william himself has said he will return to royal duties in the middle of next month when his children go back to school in the middle of april. but of course he will want to spend considerable time

with his wife and be around for his children. other royals of course, prince andrew has stepped back from a royal duties, no longer a working oil, the sussexes, harry and meghan, no longer working royals. queen camilla has stepped up and taken the place of her husband on a number of occasions but she is 76 years old, i'm sure the palace will not want to increase her workload any further. so i think there will be a determination from the palace to try to do something to ensure there are not too many royal events, they will probably look to prune back some of them because it is worth noting that them because it is worth noting that the average age now of the working royals without kate is 72 years old. and given everything, many will perhaps marvel at the composure and self—assured this of the princess in breaking what is dreadful news? t

breaking what is dreadful news? i think people will be struck, as you said, by the way she did it. she does appeal across the generations, she is the model of sort of wholesome, healthy normality, a vital dose i think ordinariness in the house of windsor. but worth remembering that she is a global superstar. she has been repeatedly voted one of the most influential people on the planet and she is the uk, according to pollsters, the uk's favourite royal. the uk monarchy is weaker without her around, the king unwell, a family riven by scandal and quarrel. they will miss her and they will be praying that she makes a speedy recovery and a return to public life. a speedy recovery and a return to public life-— public life. ok, mark easton, live at buckingham _ public life. ok, mark easton, live at buckingham palace, _ public life. ok, mark easton, live at buckingham palace, thank- public life. ok, mark easton, live| at buckingham palace, thank you. the video message from the princess of wales was made public early this evening, putting an end to weeks of speculation about why catherine hadn't been seen in public.

this is what she said. 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. a final word now from daniela. firstly, a shout out to the public? very much so and that was of course catherine, princess of wales, speaking directly to the public. the video message i think was her attempt to shut out some of the noise of recent weeks and tell people how she is feeling, what's going on in her life, how she feels about herfamily and children, directly, to try to block out some of the spec collision directly, to try to block out some of the spec collisio- directly, to try to block out some of the spec collision this was kate in her e e of the spec collision this was kate in her eye words _ of the spec collision this was kate in her eye words in _ of the spec collision this was kate in her eye words in a _ of the spec collision this was kate in her eye words in a way - of the spec collision this was kate in her eye words in a way we - of the spec collision this was kate in her eye words in a way we have j in her eye words in a way we have not seen before.