The Princess of Wales has revealed she is is in remission from cancer and shared her relief in a personal message following her visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital today.
Kate, 43, returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, this morning where she received her chemotherapy treatment to express her gratitude to her medical teams and show support to patients undergoing cancer treatment. And following the visit, in a statement on social media, Kate revealed her health update.
For the first time, she described herself as being in remission following her diagnosis last February and subsequent treatment and also revealed how she is adjusting to a “new normal” but looking forward to a “fulfilling year ahead.”
In a heartfelt message on X, she said: “I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year. My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional.
“In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is, that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer.
“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.” The message was signed off with a C denoting it was a personal message from the princess.
Kate’s message comes after she spoke of the personal challenges of cancer treatment as she made an emotional return to the hospital where she received chemotherapy for her first solo engagement in over a year. The princess embraced patients at the world leading Royal Marsden and told them of how she had struggled getting back to normal life.
The future queen remarked how it was a different experience “coming through the front entrance”, as she thanked doctors and nurses who treated her in secret for several months last year. The princess was diagnosed with cancer last February following a two week hospital stay due to abdominal surgery.
The mum-of-three took an extended break away from royal duties to concerntrate on her recovery, only making brief appearances at Wimbledon in the summer, the King’s official birthday celebrations in London and her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
On completing her chemotherapy treatment in September, she released a video alongside her family promising to stand shoulder to shoulder with those facing their own battles, saying: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”
In her first solo engagement for more than a year, which royal aides said was “incredibly poignant for the princess, Kate thanked medical staff for their “care, support and compassion” and swapped stories with patients who are still undergoing their own treatment.
Shown around the Medical Day Unit, by Mairead Griffin, Chief Nurse at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Kate said: “I’m so grateful for all the care and support I’ve received here.” During the emotional visit Kate, 43, thanked doctors and nurses for their “care, support and compassion” and swapped stories with patients who are still undergoing their own treatment.
Talking to Katherine Field, 45, who was wearing a cold cap during her chemotherapy to preserve her hair, the princess gestured to her own arm and chest to discuss the ‘port’ mechanism to deliver the medicine. Although she is not thought to have used a cold cap herself, Kate said “I got so attached to it”, joking that she had hesitated when finally told “you can have it taken out”.
Speaking of receiving a diagnosis, the Princess said: “It’s the uncertainty of that initial diagnosis. It’s such a wealth of information. Understanding the diagnosis, it’s a massive amount of information to take on as a patient. Having that continuity, in the clinical setting and outside in the home setting, is so important.”
Of the wider impact of treatment on patients, she added: “You think the treatment has finished and you can crack on and get back to normal, but that’s still a real challenge. The words totally disappear. And understanding that as a patient, yes there are side effects around treatment but actually there are more long term side effects.”
In a discussion about holistic care, she repeated that “continuity is so important, on good days and bad days”. She added: “I feel like it’s sometimes for the loved ones around us. They need support just as much as I did as the patient.” The surprise visit was kept carefully under wraps by Kensington Palace and the hospital as she makes her gradual return to work.
Despite Prince William telling reporters during a recent visit to Cape Town for his Earthshot Prize awards that he was hopeful his wife would begin to accompany him on upcoming foreign tours, there are no plans for the princess to extend her schedule beyond a handful of visits as she continues her recovery. The engagement came as Kensington Palace revealed the princess will join her husband as joint royal patron of the Royal Marsden, a role that Prince William’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales once held before her.
A spokesman said: “The Princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.” After her six month ordeal, which she has previously spoken of making her “grateful for the simple yet important things in life”, the princess remarked numerous times about the importance of positivity during treatment.
Kate sat with Richard Bosworth, a 77-year-old myeloma patient, and his wife Ruth, who immediately congratulated the Princess on managing her three young children “amazingly well” during her own public illness. “Oh that’s kind,” Kate replied. “Thank you for saying that.” Another patient Kerr Melia, 62, told her he had been diagnosed with gastroesophageal cancer five years ago.
She laughed as he greeted her with an enthusiastic “how are you!”, replying that she was doing well, but recalling the cycle of treatment that meant “sometimes you feel relatively well, and then you have another one.”
“Sometimes from the outside we all think you’ve finished treatment and you go back to things,” she added. “But it’s hard to get back to normal.” “You’re a strong man,” she told him. “I’ve had a tiny taste of what you’ve been through, and you’ve had to keep coming back.” Speaking to Katherine Field, a 45-year-old breast cancer patient, Kate told how much like the King, who is continuing his cancer battle with weekly treatment, how she had immersed in nature for her recovery.
She said: “I really felt like I needed to get the sun. You need loads of water and loads of sunlight.” When Katherine’s machinery started beeping during their conversation, signalling treatment was needed, the Princess jumped and said: “I recognise that beep!”
Before leaving the hospital to cheers and an embrace by another patient, the princess leaned in for a tight hug with Rebecca Mendlesohn, 57, who is on a trial for secondary cancer – breast and liver – and Tina Adumou, whose 19-year-old daughter is currently in ICU and broke down into tears when she told the Princess about it.
Putting an arm around her, Kate asked questions and reassured her that she was in the best possible place. “I wish I could do more,” she said, with feeling. “It will get better. There is light at the end of the tunnel.” “Best of luck,” she said as she left. “You are in the best hands.”
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