Sandringham visitors react to Kate cancer news

The Princess of Wales met well-wishers when she and the Prince visited Sandringham after the death of Queen Elizabeth II

The announcement from the Princess of Wales that she has cancer has sent shockwaves around the world, not least in Norfolk. She and her young family have a home at Anmer, near Sandringham. The BBC visited the estate to hear what people made of the news.

'She is a mum, a normal human being'

Beth Argent said Catherine should be able to keep her health private

Beth Argent, 25, said she felt Catherine's decision to tell the world of her cancer diagnosis had been taken out of her hands.

"I feel social media forced her to make a statement when she didn't really want to," said Ms Argent, of Weasenham, near Fakenham.

"She should have had her own time and her privacy with her family to go through her treatment and to recover.

"It's social media's fault for making up rumours and forcing her to come out with such a personal statement when it should be private.

"I feel it would have come out a lot later, after maybe her treatment and after she gets herself better.

"She looks amazing but you can definitely tell that she is quite poorly, and it was a shock to her."

Asked if, as a member of the Royal Family, the princess should be allowed to keep health matters private, Ms Argent said she should be afforded the same respect as anyone else.

"She is a mum, she is a normal human being, she is someone's wife, someone's daughter.

"She should just do normal things, as we do. Unfortunately it's part and parcel of being in the Royal Family.

"Everything is plastered everywhere."

The Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall attending the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in 2023

'She should be left with her privacy'

Denise Hollis said it hit home as Catherine is about the same age as her son

Denise and Andy Hollis, from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, said Sandringham was one of their favourite places to visit during their regular stays at nearby Heacham.

They saw "Kate and Wills" when the royal couple viewed the masses of flowers and greeted well-wishers following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Asked about the video announcement by the princess, Mrs Hollis said: "I think it's a shame; I think she should be left with her privacy - she shouldn't have to tell the whole world.

"She may have been trying to keep it from the children, or introduce them to it slowly.

"I've been saying for ages, 'Just leave her alone and let her get over this illness.'

"She's had a big operation and devastating news afterwards."

The 64-year-old added: "We have cancer in our family at the moment and you feel for her; she needs time to come to terms with it.

"Fingers crossed; she is very positive, and that's good.

"She's just a little bit older than my eldest, my son, and you just think it's so sad, with those young children."

Andy Hollis said the diagnoses for the King and Catherine proved cancer had no care for wealth nor status

Her husband, 65, said: "It's just awful - [we're] just getting used to the idea of the King having it, and now Kate.

"I just hope it's a curable one.

"Kate is so young as well and it proves a point - it doesn't matter who you are, or how much money you have.

"It's dreadful news for the whole family."

'It's a shame she has to explain it'

Kelly Mellor and Tim Wesson said they did not look at speculation on social media

Kay Mellor, 32, was at the visitors' centre with her partner and young son. She said she had a lot of empathy for Catherine, as a mother.

"I think it's a shame she has to explain it to people and not be able to just get on with it and deal with it privately," she said.

"It's awful, with small children, having to tell everybody.

"We were shocked [at the news] but it happens, unfortunately.

"She should be left alone to be able to deal with it and hopefully get better."

Kate and William spent some time viewing flowers at Sandringham, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022

She said she and Tim Wesson, who live in Heacham, had ignored social media and thought the health matter was "just a woman going through whatever she was going through".

Mr Wesson, 37, added: "It's a shame to get diagnosed with cancer at any age, but when it's in the public eye, you get criticised for 'photoshopping' things, and when you're going through all that, it's awful.

"The criticism on social media... it's unfair."