The Princess of Wales is being treated for cancer, she announced tonight in a video message.

The future queen is currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy that started in February, Kensington Palace announced. Kate, 42, was admitted to hospital on January 16 for "major abdominal surgery", which has been confirmed as successful. At the time of her operation it was thought that her condition was non-cancerous, as no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However, post-operative tests confirmed that cancer had been present.

In an emotional and heartfelt televised statement to the world confirming her diagnosis, recorded in Windsor on Wednesday, Kate spoke of "an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family". But in a sign of her incredible bravery, the princess issued a message of hope for those also facing their own battle, saying: "For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."

Sitting outside on a dark brown park bench, in front of a lush spring backdrop of daffodils, the mum-of-three described her plight as "a huge shock" and confirmed she had, together with her husband Prince William, 41, personally informed their three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight and Prince Louis, five of her diagnosis - but told them: "I am going to be ok".

Wearing a blue and white striped jumper and jeans Kate confirmed in her message that doctors told her cancer had been present in her body before advising her to undergo a course of "preventative chemotherapy". The princess confirmed she is "now in the early stages of that treatment".