Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Privately Reached Out to Kate Middleton and Prince William After Cancer Announcement

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also wrote in a public statement that they "wish health and healing for Kate and the family"

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are supporting Prince William and Kate Middleton both publicly and privately following Kate’s cancer announcement.

PEOPLE understands that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have privately reached out to the Prince and Princess of Wales amid Kate's cancer diagnosis.

Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, also showed their support for Kate, 42, by speaking out in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Friday.

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," Harry and Meghan said in the statement.

Related: Prince William Will 'Be the Anchor for His Children’ amid Kate Middleton’s Cancer Treatment (Exclusive)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were last seen with Princess Kate and Prince William, 41, in September 2022, when the four stepped out for a surprise walkabout in Windsor after the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Prince Harry and Meghan had been in Europe in 2022 for a series of charity events when Queen Elizabeth died at age 96.

The couple subsequently extended their trip from California — where they have lived with kids Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020 — for the late Queen’s funerary events.

Meghan and Harry’s show of support comes after Princess Kate announced her cancer diagnosis in a video message on social media on Friday.

In the video, the Princess of Wales shared that following her abdominal surgery in January, post-operative tests "found cancer had been present," and she is currently in the "early stages" of treatment.

Related: Kate Middleton’s Cancer Diagnosis: Everything We Know So Far

Kate also said that she and Prince William took time to explain the situation to their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, before the announcement.

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Prince William and Princess Kate's children's private prep school, the Lambrook School, is currently on a half-term break. George, Charlotte and Louis will have a few weeks off from school before the new term commences, providing an opportunity for the family to spend some private time together following Kate's announcement.

Prior to the Princess of Wales' public health update, a family source told PEOPLE that Prince Harry and Meghan were in the dark about Kate's abdominal surgery and recovery.

"They are aware of everything that goes on back in England, but are being left out of any details regarding Kate," the source told PEOPLE earlier this month.

"There is clearly no trust,” they added of the rift between the two couples.

And while the Duke of Sussex traveled from California to the U.K. in February after the announcement of King Charles' own cancer diagnosis, his brief stay did not involve meeting with Prince William or Kate.

At the time, a royal source said there were "no plans" for the two brothers to get together during Harry's visit.

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