At this darkest of times, they'll pull together

IN THE midst of her the Princess of Wales will have to summon all her strength and take comfort from her family, who have vowed to fight her battle with her.

- RUSSELL MYERS

While talking of the collective devastation last night being felt inside Kensington Palace, a royal source simply told me: "In their darkest times, they'll pull together."

The princess still managed to issue a message of hope to others in a similar position yesterday, telling them: "You are not alone." Anyone watching her calmly delivered and monumental statement on her diagnosis, at the age of just 42, will have been in awe of her bravery.

For those who know her, or like me who have witnessed her work up close over the years, it is no surprise that her first thought was for her family and others.

People who have suffered from this wretched disease, or lived through the experience of family members confronting it, will identify with the overwhelming feeling of concern for their loved ones as they come to terms with the news.

Kate described how she has been forced to not only contemplate her own battle but summon the strength to tell her three young children.

It was utterly heartbreaking. But once again and true to form, her overwhelming sense of protection for their well-being led to her reassuring them: "I am going to be OK"