After video release:

BBC criticized for “insensitive” reporting on Kate

Princess Kate sits alone on a bench and talks about her cancer in a video.

(Bild: APA/BBC Studios via AP)

"Our coverage reflected the importance of this story and the outpouring of support for the Princess from around the world." With these words, the British BBC responded to criticism that it had reported "excessively" and "insensitively" on Princess Kate's cancer.

Princess Kate stirs the emotions. When there was no sign of life from her for weeks after her death in January, the wildest rumors flourished on the Internet.

But then - shortly before Easter - she announced her shocking cancer diagnosis in a personal video recorded by the British television channel BBC, sending the whole world into even more turmoil. News channels and web portals reported the fate of the 42-year-old wife of the heir to the British throne, Prince William, as "breaking news", mostly showing the news in full, unedited and subsequently reporting it in great detail.

Princess Kate talks about her cancer in a video recorded by the BBC and published on social media.

(Bild: APA/BBC Studios via AP)

"Insensitive and exaggerated"
The BBC, the UK's public service broadcaster, now admits that this has had consequences for the broadcaster. It had received numerous "complaints from people who felt our coverage of the Princess of Wales' cancer diagnosis was exaggerated and insensitive", the broadcaster admitted.

"We broadcast the Princess of Wales' very personal video message, in which she spoke directly to the public about her cancer diagnosis, in its entirety," the BBC said in a statement released on Friday. "Our coverage reflected the importance of this story and the outpouring of support for the Princess from around the world."

It stressed: "We explained to our viewers what was known about Catherine's condition, but did not speculate on details that were not made public." Editorial decisions would be carefully considered. We are aware that not everyone will agree with the approach taken.

Operation in January
Princess Kate, who has been married to Prince William since 2011 and has three children with him, Prince George (10), Princess Charlotte (8) and Prince Louis (6), had to undergo an undisclosed major abdominal operation in mid-January.

The operation was only made public afterwards with the statement that it was a "planned" operation.

The princess remained in hospital for almost two weeks and was then discharged into home care. Originally it was said that it was not cancer and that her recovery would take until after Easter. But then things took a dramatic turn.

During the follow-up examination, a cancer diagnosis was made and Princess Kate was prescribed preventative chemotherapy.

In her video speech, she explained that it had been a shock for her and her family. She and Prince William had needed time to talk to their children about the new situation in an understandable way. Now she will concentrate fully on her recovery for the time being. Since then, there have been no further updates on her progress.