Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Speak Out Following Kate Middleton's Cancer News: 'We Wish Health and Healing'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement after the Princess of Wales shared the update about her health

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have released a statement after their sister-in-law Kate Middleton announced that she is receiving cancer treatment.

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Friday.

Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, last stepped out with Princess Kate and Prince William for a surprise walkabout in Windsor following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Europe for a series of charity events when Queen Elizabeth died at age 96. The couple extended their trip from California, where they relocated after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, for the funerary events.

On Friday, Princess Kate released a video message to share that following her abdominal surgery in January, post-operative tests "found cancer had been present." The Princess of Wales explained that she is in the "early stages" of a course of preventative chemotherapy and that she and Prince William took time to explain the situation to their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, before the public announcement.

Related: Kate Middleton Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: Full Recap

Before the Princess of Wales shared the latest news about her health, 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. "There is clearly no trust."

While the Duke of Sussex traveled from California to the U.K. in February following the announcement of King Charles' cancer diagnosis, his brief stay in the U.K. did not involve meeting with his brother Prince William or sister-in-law Princess Kate. A royal source said at the time there were "no plans" for the brothers to get together.

Related: King Charles Informed of Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis as He Also Undergoes Treatment for Cancer

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A former courtier suggested Prince William's "principal concern is his wife" in the weeks following the procedure Princess Kate described as "major" on Friday, but trust continues to be a concern following the release of Harry's revealing memoir, Spare, and the revealing Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan.

"It would be the normal run of things to go and see your sister-in-law who's had a serious operation and also see your niece and nephews. But it isn't normal. It's terribly sad," a source close to the royal household told PEOPLE.

Queen Camilla also made sure to be in the room during Prince Harry and King Charles' short reunion at Clarence House on Feb. 6.

"This is all to do with William's wish to protect the institution of the monarchy, which he feels Harry can't be trusted with. I don't think William will ever agree to readmission of Harry into the family unless he clearly apologizes and moves forward," royal author Robert Lacey told PEOPLE.

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