The Princess of Wales returned to work in 2025 with one of her most poignant royal engagements to date.
And one expert believes it gives an insight into what the future will hold for Kate as she gradually returns to work following her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Today, the princess visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she received her chemotherapy treatment following her cancer diagnosis last year.
The surprise official solo engagement – the princess’s first of 2025 – was described as an important moment in Kate’s “personal journey”. It had not been previously disclosed that Kate, who underwent chemotherapy last year, was treated at the Marsden – a world-leading state-of-the-art cancer centre known for its pioneering research.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson 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.”
While there she chatted to patients, sharing stories from her own cancer journey. And royal expert Jennie Bond believes it might give a glimpse into the future when it comes to Kate’s role.
The former royal correspondent told the Mirror: “What a great start to the year, to see Catherine carrying out a solo engagement so early in the month. And what a natural choice for her: to visit the hospital where she went for so much of her treatment, out of sight of the general public. This time she was delighted to walk in with the cameras on her, looking well and full of gratitude for the treatment she was given.
“And she is now perfectly placed to help other people living with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis. I think this will become an important part of her work in the future.
“A visit from a royal is quite something anyway, but a visit from a royal who can truly share the experience patients are going through is very special. This isn’t someone just seeking to do good work this is someone who’s been through the same or a similar experience and can speak from the heart.”
The unannounced visit coincided with the news that Kate has become joint royal patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside the Prince of Wales. The patronage was once held by Diana, Princess of Wales, and William has been its president for many years, but will now serve as co-patron with Kate.
The Palace was keen to stress that the guidance around Kate’s return to public-facing engagements had not changed and it would continue to be gradual. “Today was about visiting the Marsden to reflect on her own personal journey,” a spokesperson said.
The princess, in her new role as patron, was said to be looking forward to supporting the Marsden’s work in advancing cancer research, treatment and care as well as learning more about how it can benefit patients in the future.
The visit to the Marsden comes two days before the first anniversary of Kate’s admittance to the London Clinic for major abdominal surgery on January 16, 2024. She spent nearly two weeks in hospital after the operation, and was recuperating at home when she was told she had cancer and had to begin chemotherapy.
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