Kate says cancer is in remission and ‘looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead’
The Princess of Wales has expressed "relief" to be in remission from cancer, as she made a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London where she received her treatment last year.
In a message on social media following the visit, Kate said: "I remain focused 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."
She thanked the staff at the hospital who looked after her, as well as "all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything".
It comes after the princess offered words of reassurance to a woman she met during a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she received her cancer treatment.
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.… pic.twitter.com/f3sA7yZdOi— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 14, 2025
Kate went to the hospital to personally thank staff for her care and "reflect on her own personal journey". Just before she left, she hugged a woman who appeared to be a visitor and spoke of the "light at the end of the tunnel" for those going through cancer treatment.
After the pair had a conversation about "patients receiving treatment", the princess said: "I'm sorry. I wish there was more I could do to help. I wanted to come and show my support for the amazing work that's going on here and for those who are going through treatment and having such a hard time.
"There is light at the end of that tunnel, very nice to meet you and best of luck. You are in the best of hands."
Kate underwent preventative chemotherapy after announcing her cancer diagnosis in a video statement. It was not previously known that she received treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital and her visit on Tuesday 14 January marks her first official engagement of 2025.
The visit also coincides with the announcement that the princess has become joint royal patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, joining her husband the Prince of Wales. The patronage was previously held by Prince William's late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
During her visit, Kate spoke to patients and their families on the ward. One woman said to her: "I think you've managed the children amazingly well."
Kate replied: "Oh, that's kind. The treatments are really so different and so varied, it impacts families differently."
The princess completed her cancer treatment in September. In a video message announcing that she was now "cancer free", Kate said it had been an "incredibly tough" nine months.
"Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus," she said. "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes."
Her schedule of royal engagements was scaled back drastically during the course of her treatment, but Kate has slowly begun making public appearances again. Her first public appearance after announcing she had finished cancer treatment took place on Sunday 22 September, when she joined other members of the royal family at church in Balmoral, Aberdeenshire.
Over Christmas, she hosted her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey. The event was attended by members of the royal family including William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
At the start of the concert, Kate encouraged people to "slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all".
"It's when we stop to take ourselves away from the pressures of life that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about," she added.
Additional reporting by PA
Read more about the Princess of Wales:
Lauren Laverne, Princess of Wales and more on how cancer changed their lives (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
What is preventative chemotherapy? Kate Middleton’s cancer treatment explained (The Independent, 2-min read)
Kate Middleton's eating habits including same breakfast every day and 'a lot of' unusual snack (BirminghamLive, 2-min read)
