By Mark Landler
London: Catherine, Princess of Wales, says her cancer is in remission, lifting a major cloud from the British royal family, which has struggled with serious health concerns for both her and King Charles III.
“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery,” Catherine, the wife of Prince William, wrote on Instagram.
“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 said. “There is much to look forward to.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales during a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Tuesday.Credit: Getty Images
Catherine said in September that she had completed chemotherapy for her cancer, and her goal was to remain cancer-free. But Kensington Palace, where she and William have their offices, declined to say at that point whether her doctors had declared her medically free of cancer or whether she was undergoing any other treatment.
The palace has never confirmed the type of cancer that struck Catherine, how far it had progressed, or what other treatment she was undergoing beyond chemotherapy. The cancer was detected in January after she entered the hospital for 14 days for abdominal surgery.
Still, Catherine’s announcement seemed more promising than the update last year, though Kensington Palace again offered no additional medical details. A palace official cautioned the princess would still only return to official duties on a gradual basis over the rest of this year.
Catherine, Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field at The Royal Marsden.Credit: Getty Images
Her announcement that she was in remission came as she visited the hospital, the Royal Marsden, in west London, where she was treated. “My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything,” Catherine posted.
During the visit, Catherine thanked staff members and spoke with other cancer patients. She recalled her “really tough” experience with chemotherapy, disclosing that the medicine was delivered via a port, according to PA Media, the British news agency that accompanied the princess on her visit.
“I got so attached to it,” Catherine said, referring to the port, a device that can be implanted under the skin and left in place throughout the course of chemotherapy. She joked that she hesitated when she was finally told, “You can have it taken out,” according to PA Media.
“It’s really tough,” Catherine said of chemotherapy. “It’s such a shock.”
Catherine hugs Rebecca Mendelhson during her visit.Credit: Getty Images
A palace official said the purpose of Catherine’s visit to the Royal Marsden was not just to thank the staff for their care but also to highlight the “world-leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.”
Prince William is already a royal patron of the hospital, which opened in 1851 and is the world’s first hospital dedicated exclusively to cancer diagnosis, research and treatment. Catherine has now been designated as a joint patron, alongside her husband.
King Charles announced in February that he, too, had been diagnosed with cancer. Buckingham Palace has disclosed little about his treatment or the status of his illness, though he has returned to a busy schedule of official duties.
On Monday, the palace announced that Charles would travel to Poland this month to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp. Last year, the King travelled to Australia and Samoa, where he attended a meeting of heads of government of the Commonwealth.
Catherine has approached her illness in more personal terms than her father-in-law, although with a similarly tight control over the level of disclosure. She announced the conclusion of her chemotherapy in an emotional video that featured William and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” Catherine said in the video. “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.