The Princess of Wales has shared her relief at being in remission following cancer treatment.
.jpg_uIpcAq?tr=w-1024,cr-92.0.768.707&config=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)
The wonderful milestone was marked with a poignant visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London. This is the same hospital where she received treatment in secret last year.
Princess Catherine, 43, met with doctors, nurses, and patients during her visit, expressing gratitude for the care she received and offering support to others undergoing treatment.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media afterward, she revealed her health update and reflected on her journey.
Her full statement, shared to the Kensington Palace social media channels, can be read below:
"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. C"
During her visit to the Medical Day Unit, Princess Catherine thanked medical staff for their “care, support, and compassion.”
Speaking with Katherine Field, a 45-year-old breast cancer patient, the princess shared her own experiences, gesturing to her arm and chest to discuss the ‘port’ mechanism used to deliver treatment.
"I’m so grateful for all the care and support I’ve received here," she said. She also joked about her reluctance to part with the device, saying, “I got so attached to it” when told it could finally be removed.
The Princess acknowledged the challenges of living with cancer, saying: “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.”
She emphasized the importance of holistic and continuous care, adding: “Continuity is so important, on good days and bad days. Sometimes, it’s the loved ones around us who need support just as much as I did as the patient.”
Diagnosed with cancer in February 2024 after abdominal surgery, the princess took a step back from royal duties for much of the year to focus on her health. She completed chemotherapy in September and shared an uplifting message at the time:
“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.”
The Princess of Wales candidly spoke about the difficulties of returning to normal life after treatment, noting the lingering effects, saying: “You think the treatment has finished, and you can crack on and get back to normal, but that’s still a real challenge.”
This visit marked her first solo engagement in over a year, described by royal aides as "incredibly poignant" for the princess. Reflecting on her time as a patient, she remarked on how different it felt to enter the hospital through the front doors this time, rather than in secrecy.
Princess Catherine also sat with Richard Bosworth - a 77-year-old myeloma patient - and his wife Ruth, who praised her ability to manage public life while raising her three children during her illness. “Oh, that’s kind. Thank you for saying that,” she responded warmly.
Despite her progress, Princess Catherine's royal schedule remains limited as she continues to prioritize her recovery. While Prince William recently expressed hopes she might accompany him on upcoming foreign tours, there are no plans to extend her schedule beyond a few select engagements, per The Independent.
The Princess will join her husband as a joint royal patron of the Royal Marsden, a role once held by Princess Diana, furthering the family’s connection to the hospital. A Kensington Palace spokesperson noted: “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.”
Princess Catherine's visit concluded with a message of hope, reminding patients of the importance of positivity during their journeys. "Sometimes from the outside, we all think you’ve finished treatment and you go back to things," she told one patient. "But it’s hard to get back to normal."
As she slowly returns to public life, the Princess of Wales continues to inspire others with her resilience and dedication to supporting those navigating their own battles with cancer.
