King Charles III praises Princess Kate after cancer diagnosis: 'So proud of Catherine'

Following Princess Kate going public with her cancer diagnosis, her father-in-law King Charles III is praising her amid the pair's health woes.

In a statement shared with People and British news outlet The Guardian, the king, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, said he is "so proud of Catherine (the Princess of Wales) for her courage in speaking as she did."

The statement, issued Friday, also said the king, who received treatment in the same hospital as Princess Kate, has "remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks." The king and queen "will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time," according to the statement.

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Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis in video

"I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally, for all the messages of support and for your understanding while I've been recovering from surgery. It's been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team that has been taking care of me for which I am so grateful," the princess said in a video released earlier Friday.

While seated on a bench, in a striped sweater surrounded by a lush lawn, Princess Kate detailed her health battle.

"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London. And at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous," she continued. "The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present."

Kate said it has "taken time" to appropriately explain her diagnosis to her and Prince William's children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — and "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," she said. "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."

Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Taijuan Moorman