The Princess of Wales has said cancer “makes you appreciate all the small things in life” as she met patients and staff at the hospital that treated her.
Kate had words of support – and hugs – for those dealing with the disease at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.
She thanked medical teams during the visit – which was also the first confirmation of where she was treated.
As she arrived, the princess said it was nice to enter through the main entrance after “having made so many quiet, private visits”.
Kate met a woman wearing a cold cap, who was on her first day of treatment, and told several patients to try to keep “doing the things that give you joy”.
‘It’s really tough’
Talking about a cancer diagnosis, Kate said: “It makes you appreciate all the small things in life that you take for granted.”
“It’s really tough,” she told one patient having chemotherapy. “It’s such a shock.”
She added: “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.”
Kate said trying to stay positive had made “such a difference”, and that getting “loads of water and loads of sunlight” also helped her feel better.
The 43-year-old revealed in September she had finished chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer, calling the last six months “incredibly tough”.
In March 2024, the princess confirmed she was having preventative treatment after tests following abdominal surgery had found cancer had been present.
Kensington Palace said the princess had wanted to “show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world-leading care and treatment the Marsden provides”.
Princess used visit to reflect on personal journey
It was almost a year ago that we were all shocked to hear that the princess had been admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery. We all now know how those difficult following months unfolded.
So this first visit of the new year by the Princess of Wales was the most public of thank yous to those who supported and treated her at the Royal Marsden.
It’s not a fleeting show of appreciation, with the confirmation that Kate will now become a joint patron for the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, joining Prince William’s long held link with the hospital.
Just like the King, it shows that highlighting the incredible work of medical professionals and the human side of what it’s like to face a cancer diagnosis is clearly now an integral part of how the Princess wants to use her very public profile.
In terms of what it means for how much we’ll see of Kate this year, Kensington Palace was keen to stress that the guidance around her return to public-facing engagements hasn’t changed and that would continue to be gradual.
Today was about visiting the Marsden to reflect on her own personal journey.
‘Light at end of the tunnel’
During the visit, Kate said she was feeling well, but recalled the toll treatment can take, saying “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. But it’s hard to get back to normal,” she added.
Speaking to 45-year-old Katherine Field – who was wearing a cold cap to preserve her hair – the princess gestured to her own arm and chest to discuss the mechanism to deliver medicine.
“I got so attached to it,” Kate said, joking that she had hesitated when finally told she didn’t need it anymore.
As she left she hugged another woman, who appeared to be a visitor, assuring her there was “light at the end of that tunnel” and she was “in the best of hands”.
Return to public duties will still be gradual – palace
Kate will now join Prince William as a royal patron of the Royal Marsden – a leading specialist cancer hospital that treats more than 59,000 patients every year.
William last week praised his wife’s strength as he shared a picture to mark her birthday and called her “the most incredible wife and mother”.
He wrote: “The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”
He previously described 2024 as “brutal” and probably “the hardest year” of his life after his father the King was also diagnosed with cancer.
Despite today’s hospital visit, Kensington Palace stressed the princess’s return to public-facing duties would continue to take place gradually.
“Today was about visiting the Marsden to reflect on her own personal journey,” a spokesperson said.
