Catherine, the Princess of Wales, released a heartwarming video Monday announcing that she had completed her cancer treatment.
“As the summer comes to an end, I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she says. “Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus,” she added. “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
Many Americans understandably pay little attention to the British Royal Family, which in addition to Princess Kate and William, the Prince of Wales, includes King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
In some ways, the Royals seem made for television and social media, a ceremonial line punctuated with privilege, pomp and pageantry, but without much practical influence and authority.
Yet, the British Monarchy does retain constitutional duties, as well as act as a symbol on national pride and unity. Ruling for over one thousand years, it has enjoyed significant staying power – and garners plenty of attention.
For that reason alone, Princess Kate’s moving video was more than mere information – and it stands to relay truths that extend well beyond a timeline or serve as a public relations ploy.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,” the princess shared. “Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
While she wasn’t directly quoting from the Bible, Catherine was certainly sharing scriptural truths with such a statement.
“What is your life?” wrote James. “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (4:14). “My life is a breath,” said Job (7:7). The Psalmist agrees, noting, “For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace” (102:3).
The video featured film of Catherine and William, along their young children: George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. We see these smiling children running, climbing, jumping, wrestling, laughing, holding hands – kids being kids.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” Catherine shares. “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
She continued:
“This time above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted,” Catherine said. “Of simply loving and being loved.”
Amplifying the emotion of the footage is the fact that many of the images are made to look like old 8mm home movies – colorful but a bit grainy. Parents of a certain age can immediately resonate. We also see a pensive and thoughtful couple enjoying the moment – but realizing everything is fragile and temporary.
The escalating crisis surrounding the population bust often features cold statistics, namely the “replacement rate” which is defined as the “level of fertility at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.” We talk about a growing disinterest in children and a growing interest in hobbies and self-realization, including pets. Marriage as the ideal is often ignored, so much so that the Surgeon General’s warning about parental stress and loneliness never even mentioned the incomparable benefits that married couples and intact families enjoy.
Missing from academic and even popular media discussions is the loss of these treasured moments captured in the Royal home movies. Singleness and childless marriages contain their share of joys, but such arrangements look very different. Nothing can compare to the joy and privilege of raising children, seeing the wonder in their eyes, as well as giving and receiving love.
With 7.3 million views as of Tuesday morning, perhaps this video will remind the world of what can be when a couple remains committed in marriage and devoted to their children.
“To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand,” says Catherine. “Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”
At Focus on the Family, we would consider it a privilege to pray for you and your family if you find yourself in a difficult position as a family. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and let us know how we can help.
Image from KensingtonRoyal on X.
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