We’re now pausing our coverage of Catherine, Princess of Wales' announcement that she is in the early stages of treatment following a cancer diagnosis. But before we go, let's have a look at what happened this evening.

Kate's video statement:

• Catherine described the news as a "huge shock" after an "incredibly tough couple of months". She said it took time to "explain everything" to her three young children, as she wanted to reassure them that she is "going to be OK"

• "I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits," the princess added
• Her husband, the Prince of Wales, was described as a source of "comfort and reassurance" as she navigates tribulations with her health. Following weeks of speculation over her health, Kate asked the public for "time, space and privacy" while she completes her treatment
• Separately to her statement, Kensington Palace said the princess began a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February. But the palace did not disclose details of the cancer, adding that Kate "has a right to medical privacy, as we all do"

The reaction:

• King Charles said he is "so proud" of his "beloved" daughter-in-law's courage. The King, who is himself being treated for cancer, said himself and Queen Camilla would "continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time"
• Speaking from California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wished "health and healing for Kate and the family"
• Catherine's younger brother, James Middleton, shared a childhood picture with the caption: "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too"
• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the princess had shown "tremendous bravery" and his thoughts were with the Royal Family. While Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says he was "heartened" by Kate's "optimistic tone and her message of faith and hope"
• Cancer charities also wished the princess a "full, swift recovery and return to good health", and appluded the Royal Family for raising awareness of how common the disease is - as one in every two of us will likely have it

We're bringing our coverage to a close for the day shortly, but you can keep up-to-date and read more from BBC News on Catherine's announcement that she is in the early stages of treatment for cancer. Follow the links below.

• To get the full story by the BBC's royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, you can go here.
• If you would like to find out what we know about Kate's cancer treatment click here.
• And to read more on the context of Harry and Meghan's brief statement of "health and healing" for the Princess of Wales, you can head here.
• You can also watch her full statement at the top of our live page.

Daniela Relph
BBC royal correspondent

Image source, Reuters

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's been following her in recent weeks.

This is a princess that has been talking directly to the public.

It has 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.

Image source, Reuters

As we reported earlier, the White House said Americans' thoughts were with Kate, and they were "incredibly sad to hear of the news".

We've been getting some more reaction from world leaders with French President Emmanuel Macron hailing Catherine for her "strength" and "resilience" in this difficult time.

From Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that his thoughts are with the Princess and her entire family after she "courageously" shared her update on her health.

"On behalf of Canadians, I’m sending my support as she undergoes treatment. We’re all wishing her a swift recovery."

Image source, PA Media

Politicians from across the spectrum have sent a united message to Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Former prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson both wished Kate a full and speedy recovery in messages shared on X, formerly Twitter.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey says his party joins “the whole country in wishing her a speedy recovery and hope the Royal Family will be given space and privacy at this difficult time”.

While SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn says he had "no doubt" that the Princess of Wales' words will be "of comfort and support to others" affected by cancer.

Image source, PA Media

In Northern Ireland, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly sent their best wishes to the princess.

O’Neill offered “a special word of thought to her young family at this challenging time”.

Little-Pengelly sent “love from so many in Northern Ireland,” who she says would continue to keep Kate in their thought and prayers.

Ian Aikman
Reporting from Windsor

Visiting from London, Dhara Bhatt, 32, and Manojgiri Gauswami, 37, both hope the Princess of Wales’s announcement draws more attention to the need for cancer research.

“These days cancer is so common,” says Manojgiri.

“We should be doing more to prevent it.” “Someone from the Royal Family has got it, it’s just so worrying,” he adds.

As our Medical editor Fergus Walsh said earlier, cancer is indeed common with one in two people getting it.

You can read more about what we know about Kate's diagnosis here.

In her video earlier Kate said her medical team advised her to undergo "preventative chemotherapy", and she is in the early stages of this treatment.

Chemotherapy is a catch-all term for medication to kill cancer cells - it can be given via a drip or in pill form.

Prof Andrew Beggs, a consultant colorectal surgeon, says: "Preventive chemotherapy after surgery is given to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the future."

How much you need and how often depends on the type of cancer and how it is growing.

We've been hearing from a couple of cancer charities and experts on the disease.

Cancer Research UK's chief executive wished Catherine a "full, swift recovery and return to good health".

Michelle Mitchell added that: "During this difficult time, it's important that the Princess is given the time and space to focus on her treatment and that we respect the family’s privacy."

Maggie's, another cancer charity, says it has centres across the UK dedicated for anyone living with cancer or impacted by today's announcement by Kate.

Chief executive Dame Laura Lee said the charity was "incredibly sorry" to hear news of the princess's health condition. "We also know how challenging and worrying a cancer diagnosis can be for the whole family, especially with young children and our thoughts are very much with them all," Lee adds.

While Professor Pat Price, an oncologist and founder of the 'Catch Up with Cancer' campaign says today's news served as a "stark and shocking reminder that cancer is no respecter of age or social status".

The BBC's Action Line has information and resources to help people dealing with a cancer diagnosis, including charities that offer to support to the individual and their family.

Since it was announced that the Princess of Wales would be stepping back from public duties after having abdominal surgery in January, many royal watchers have been clamouring to know when she would return.

In her video statement, released earlier this evening, she emphasised how her work has always brought "a deep sense of joy" and that she looks forward to being back when she is able, but for now she was focusing "on making a full recovery".

A spokesman from Kensington Palace said: "The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team."

Kate was last officially seen in public with her family on Christmas Day, before undergoing surgery weeks later. In January, the palace said that she would return to work after Easter, but that timeline has not been updated since today's announcement.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Instagram/@jmidy

Catherine's younger brother, James Middleton, has shared a picture of the two of them as children, following his sister's announcement.

"Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too," James, 36, wrote beneath an Instagram post, external that featured a picture of young Kate with her hair pulled back standing beside her brother.

Prince Harry and Meghan have just released a short statement, saying: "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."

Image source, BBC Studios

If you're just joining us, the Princess of Wales has released a video message saying she is in the early stages of treatment after a cancer diagnosis.

In the two-minute message, she says she is "well" and "getting stronger every day" after starting preventative treatment.

The princess's statement explains that when she had abdominal surgery in January, it was not known that there was any cancer. However tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

Here are the key developments since she announced the news at 18:00 GMT:

• Kensington Palace said it would not be disclosing more details of Catherine's cancer
• But it said Kate's chemotherapy treatment began in late February and she is now on a "recovery pathway"
• In the video, Catherine says that she and William have been doing "everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family"
• Buckingham Palace has released a statement saying King Charles is "so proud" of Catherine for her "courage in speaking as she did" and that he and the Queen would "continue to offer their love and support to the whole family"
• PM Rishi Sunak praised Catherine's "tremendous bravery" while Labour leader Keir Starmer said while "any cancer diagnosis is shocking", he is "heartened" by her "optimistic tone and message of hope"
• The White House has wished Kate a full recovery with the press spokesperson saying "we are incredibly sad to hear this news"

As we've been reporting, the Princess of Wales is having treatment for cancer, which was discovered following major abdominal surgery.

When was the cancer found?

We don't know precisely, but we do know the princess underwent surgery in January. The palace did not disclose details at the time but said the procedure was planned and her condition was "not cancer-related". She started preventative chemotherapy in late February.

What type of cancer does the princess have?

Kensington Palace has not given this detail, and has stressed that she has the right to medical privacy like anyone else.

How did doctors find the cancer?

After the surgery in January, which Kensington Palace says was successful, doctors performed tests which revealed cancer had been present. Commonly, tissue removed during surgery would be sent to a lab for analysis and to see what cells are there.

How many people get cancer?

In the UK, one in two people develop some kind of cancer during their lifetime.

You can read more about all of the above in our story here.

Ian Aikman
Reporting from Windsor

Eve Watts says she was shocked to hear Catherine's news this evening. Living in Windsor is like having a famous neighbour who you never see, she says.

“You feel close to them,” she tells me. “It’s a shock because she’s so young. It just shows you it could happen to anyone.”

Eve’s mother, Valerie, is visiting her from Southport. Valerie wishes the Princess of Wales all the best, saying: “I also hope this will end all the speculation that’s been going on."

The two-minute video message by Catherine was recorded at Windsor on Wednesday by BBC Studios, the production arm of the BBC.

But BBC News, which is separate to BBC Studios, was briefed on the announcement this afternoon by Kensington Palace at the same time as other media outlets.

The BBC's royal correspondent Sarah Campbell says that the BBC had no editorial involvement in the message, and have made no edits to the statement.

BBC Studios issued a statement confirming that they provided production services for the recording and said: "We would like to wish Her Royal Highness a speedy recovery."

Kate's video comes after weeks of bruising speculationpublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March

19:10 GMT 22 March

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

The video message from the Princess of Wales follows weeks of intense speculation and some wild conspiracy theories about her health.

The latest news might put all that bruising rumour-mongering in a different context.

We now know that since late February she's been having chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.

That would have covered the period of time when that notorious Mother's Day photograph was sent out and later withdrawn by several picture agencies over concerns it had been digitally altered.

And it would have included last weekend, when the princess and her husband were spotted at a shop near their home in Windsor.

It also explains why Prince William missed his godfather's memorial service on 27 February.

Today's message from Kensington Palace comes ahead of what would have been pressure to see the princess on Easter Sunday.

This latest news makes clear she won't be there and any return to public events will depend on her recovery.

In a short statement, Buckingham Palace says King Charles and Queen Camilla "will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time".

Image source, Getty Images

The King 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", Buckingham Palace says.

The White House says it wishes Kate a full recovery after hearing the "terrible news" she is having cancer treatment.

"Our thoughts are with the Duchess of Cambridge and her family members and friends during this incredibly difficult time," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters a little earlier.

"Certainly we wish her a full recovery. And I think it's important that we respect their privacy, especially at this time."

She added: "I know folks are going to ask if the president has spoken to her or the family. I can just say right now that we don't have anything to share at this time, but obviously we we wish the Duchess of Cambridge a full recovery, and we are incredibly sad to hear of the news."

Ian Aikman
Reporting from Windsor

Across the road from Windsor Castle, three women who are visiting from out of town have just heard the news.

Sonia Dunn, from Barton on Sea in Hampshire, says she hopes the royals are “left to cope as a family”.

“She deserves that privacy. She’s an amazing young woman and a huge asset to the country," she says.

"We just need to let her have time and space."

Meanwhile, Sarah Plumb from Felpham, West Sussex, says people will be “completely shocked". “It shows the royals are vulnerable. They’re real people."

Kylie Morgan from Witney, Oxfordshire, says the news is “terrible”. She adds that after recent speculation, she thinks it’s almost as if the princess was “forced” to make an announcement.