Emotional Princess Kate confirms for first time she’s in remission after cancer battle & says ‘it takes time to adjust’
AN EMOTIONAL Kate Middleton has spoken of her “relief” as she today revealed she is in remission after her cancer battle.
The Princess of Wales, 43, made a solo trip to Royal Marsden Hospital in which she thanked staff for her “exceptional” care.
Speaking today, 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.
Her statement added: “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.”
It comes as:
- Kate today made a surprise appearance at Royal Marsden hospital
- She met nurses who treated her for cancer and fellow patients
- The 43-year-old hugged patients & said “there’s light at the end of the tunnel”
- Said she is “looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead”
A beaming Kate earlier thanked the heroes at The Royal Marsden who cared for her during her health battle.
The mum-of-three has now finished her chemotherapy and met health carers to personally “show her gratitude”.
Kate's poignant visit
By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor
The Princess of Wales’s visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital to thank staff who cared for her last year is a poignant way of closing the door on a ‘brutal’ period of her life and looking forward with optimism.
But spending time sharing experiences with other patients undergoing cancer treatment says that she is committed to words she spoke in March last year announcing her diagnosis when she told others dealing with the disease ‘you are not alone’.
And today, alongside William, she has become patron of the NHS Foundation, proving these are not empty words.
Although it is always welcome to see the princess at royal engagements this visit is part of a gradual return and does not herald a return to the volume of work we saw before her illness.
This was a pilgrimage to her old hospital as part of her personal journey to help reflect on everything that has happened over the past 12 months.
Arriving at the cancer centre she remarked on the novelty of walking in through the front entrance of the hospital. She has visited the hospital many times during her chemotherapy but without cameras in tow.
She wanted to use her enormous presence and fame to shine a light on the work that the hospital does and show her “gratitude” to the “incredible team” and highlight the world leading care.
But the hour-long visit achieved more than this as patients – some undergoing the same treatment as Kate – had a morale-boosting visit from the princess who was able to share experiences, fears and hopes.
She sat with patients and spoke about their diagnosis and care while engrossed in everything they had to say and willing to chip in with her own thoughts and stories from her treatment.
We have seen the princess gradually return to work appearing at Trooping the Colour, Wimbledon, Remembrance Sunday and her Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
But in visiting the cancer centre where she was treated the princess can now draw a line under 2024 – but to never forget its impact on her life.
Speaking in September, Kate described the cancer as “incredibly tough for us as a family” and described her journey “complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone”.
And these are thoughts that everyone she met today no doubt shares.
But as Kate said “out of darkness, can come light”, and by visiting the Royal Marsden to speak to staff and patients she is proof of those words.
Kate also asked patients about details of their treatment, trials, wellbeing, and asked after their families.
Hearing about one man’s diagnosis, the Princess of Wales said: “The body is amazing at telling us ‘you need to take time out’.”
Speaking of receiving a diagnosis, she 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.”
Kate’s trip came almost exactly a year after she was taken to The London Clinic for abdominal surgery and later found out she had cancer.
It comes as the Waleses were also today announced as Joint Patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
Expert comment from Arthur Edwards, Sun royal photographer
By Arthur Edwards, Sun royal photographer
NOT wishing to sound like Mystic Meg but when I saw Catherine on Christmas Day I thought that she was over her cancer treatment and predicted she would soon be back at work.
And how like Kate that on her first solo engagement after remission, that she went back to the hospital where she had her cancer treatment in complete secrecy.
She wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the staff but most important to chat to the patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Catherine gave them not just sympathy but empathy too.
The Princess’s presence on the wards was so encouraging and sent the message ‘I went through this just like you, and you can overcome it, too’.
There were a couple of touching moments. Kate had her hand on the knee of woman patient, looking straight into her eyes, and the lady was laughing.
In another picture, Catherine had her hand to her chest, full of compassion and understanding.
It wasn’t long ago that Kate was the one sitting there in cold cap to stop losing her hair being treated by the wonderful staff.
When you get the all-clear from cancer it is only natural to want to return and say thanks – just like the King did last April when his first engagement after treatment was to University College Hospital.
The message I got looking at these wonderful pictures of Kate is that this is a woman who wants to give back some of the kindness that she received herself.
It is significant that both Catherine and William have decided to become patrons at the Royal Marsden Hospital – which is a true ‘thank you’ from the heart.
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to The Royal Marsden in Chelsea this morning, and are delighted that Her Royal Highness is now joining His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in becoming Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre.
“We are incredibly fortunate to receive Royal Patronage – it is inspiring for staff and patients and enables us to shine a light on the outstanding work our staff deliver every day for patients and their families.”
The hospital opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre operating across three sites in Chelsea, Sutton and Cavendish Square in central London.
What does it mean to be ‘in remission’ after cancer?
Hearing ‘remission’ after receiving cancer treatment is good news.
Being ‘in remission’ after cancer means that there are no signs or symptoms of cancer detectable in the body with the use of scans or blood tests.
The person show no signs directly related to the cancer either.
It can be partial or complete – even with the latter, it does not mean the cancer is cured.
‘Cured’ is not a term doctors would like to use, because they cannot guarantee there are zero cancer cells in the body.
Regular follow-up appointments and monitoring are essential to watch out for a possible return of the cancer.
People might need to take medication to keep their cancer at bay, for example hormone treatments.
Remission indicates that the cancer has responded to treatment and is currently under control.
- Partial remission: Some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.
- Complete remission: All signs and symptoms of cancer are gone, although this does not necessarily mean that the cancer has been cured.
EMOTIONAL STATEMENT
Kate revealed last March in an emotional video statement that she had cancer – just weeks after the King shared his diagnosis.
Although she appeared at Wimbledon tennis finals last summer with Charlotte this is her first solo appearance for more than a year.
Last week The Sun revealed Kate planned a “gradual return” to front-line duties with royal fans warned not to expect the same “volume of work” as before her health crisis.
Although speaking in South Africa in November William said the couple had “trips” planned in the New Year it is understood foreign tours for Kate are currently “off the table”.
But the princess will be seen “up and down the country” with her work in Early Years being the “golden thread” of her engagements this year.
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent abdominal surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the Princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but pens letter to Irish Guards revealing: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”
June 15: Kate attends Trooping the Colour alongside her family
July 14: Kate attends the Wimbledon Men’s Final with Princess Charlotte
August 11: Kate and William release video congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics
August 25: Kate is seen heading to church
September 9: Kate shares moving video revealing she has finished chemotherapy
January 14, 2025: Emotional Kate speaks of her “relief” as she reveals she’s in remission.