Warm wishes flood in for Princess of Wales

The Chief Rabbi has led well-wishes to the Princess of Wales after the shock announcement that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

The Royal Family is the object of prayer in every synagogue in the country each Shabbat. And so many Jewish organisations across the community have sent their warm wishes for a speedy recovery to the Princess of Wales.

In a statement issued after Shabbat concluded last weekend, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis posted on Twitter/X: “I join people throughout the UK and across the globe in expressing my sadness in learning that the Princess of Wales is battling cancer and I extend heartfelt wishes to her for a ‘refuah shelema’ – a swift and complete recovery”.

The Board of Deputies echoed this message, saying it sent its “best wishes for a refuah shelema —a full and speedy recovery — to the Princess of Wales. Our thoughts are with her and the Royal Family.”

The Jewish Leadership Council also wished the princess “continued strength and a speedy recovery”.

Gary Mond, chairman of the National Jewish Assembly, said: “All of the officers and staff of the National Jewish Assembly were distressed to hear that the Princess of Wales has cancer. We wish her a speedy recovery and send her all our love, and hope that it will not be long before she can resume the royal duties which she carries out in such a fabulous manner.”

There were warm thoughts, too, from Progressive Judaism, whose leaders, Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky, said: “We know that many of our members, whose own lives and families have been touched by cancer, will appreciate her message of faith and hope and the reminder of how vital being surrounded by community and loved ones is.

“We pray that her complete recovery comes soon and that, in the meantime, she is given the space and time she needs to heal with her family.”

Louise Hager, chair of the community’s Chai Cancer Care, said: “We are all shocked and saddened to hear the news that Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been diagnosed with cancer and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family at this extremely challenging time. We wish her much strength throughout her cancer treatment and send our heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.” The charity sympathised with the Princess and her husband as they dealt with the difficult task of telling their children about their mother’s illness: Chai has recently started a Parenting Support Group to meet this specific need.

Among organisations which have dealt directly with Princess Catherine is the Holocaust Educational Trust. Speaking on behalf of survivors, a spokesman for HET said: “The Princess of Wales has been a devoted supporter of Holocaust education and remembrance and is held with huge affection and respect by survivors of the Holocaust and our community. We look forward to seeing Her Royal Highness very soon and in the meantime, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, her husband the Prince of Wales and their children, and all the Royal Family are in our thoughts and prayers.”