- Written by Daniela Relf, Royal Correspondent, Ali Abbas Ahmadi
- bbc news
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said the Prince and Princess of Wales were “very touched by the kind messages” they had received following Kate's cancer diagnosis.
In Saturday's statement, he added that he was “grateful” that the public understood his request for privacy.
Duchess Kate revealed in a video message on Friday that she had begun treatment.
She was diagnosed after tests performed after abdominal surgery “revealed the presence of cancer.”
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply touched by the kind messages we have received from people here in the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness' message.”
“They have been extremely touched by the warmth and support of the public and appreciate their understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”
This statement will be the last we hear from the prince and princess for a while.
It's a message that's both gratitude and a polite warning, with the couple saying they're done with the public aspect of the diagnosis and want to be left alone.
This also acknowledges the overwhelmingly positive response to Duchess Kate's video message.
Social media has become a toxic place for the princess in recent weeks, with wild rumors and gossip about her condition flying around.
As of this writing, Duchess Kate's video message posted on Instagram had been liked about 5 million times.
The couple's latest 'thank you' statement is the final chapter in the current stage of the princess' diagnosis, and Kensington Palace hopes to put a line under all speculation.
The past few weeks have been tough for the royal couple, their children and the team around them, who have tried to quell the gossip and rumors, but that has proven impossible.
This statement pays tribute to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world, and acknowledges the global concern about the Princess' condition.
But perhaps it's the last few words that are most meaningful, a direct appeal to privacy from the glare.
Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis started their Easter holidays from school on Friday.
They will not return to school until April 17 and are not expected to see or hear from their families during the holidays.
They made it clear that this was family time and that they would strictly protect it.
A central element of the Royal Easter is the church service on Easter Sunday, which usually brings together the royal family in large numbers at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Prince William and Duchess Kate have already announced that they will not attend services this year, but King Charles III may be seen leading his family into church.
Buckingham Palace says it is “hoping” that he will be able to join the family by the end of next week.
Almost every Sunday newspaper begins with a reaction to the news of the Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis.
The Sunday Express reported that the nation was “touched” by Duchess Kate's “courage and dignity,” while the Daily Star Sunday recalled some speculation about Duchess Kate's health prior to the announcement, and noted that celebrities “I hurriedly apologized,'' the report said.
Among those welcomed to Windsor on Saturday was Linda Bobby, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, who told Penn State: “I'm very shocked. She's a very young woman. It's natural to protect your privacy.”