Princess of Wales speaks of ‘rollercoaster’ cancer recovery

The Princess of Wales has likened recovering from cancer to riding ‘a rollercoaster’ as she spoke of going through ‘hard times’ in her battle with the disease | WATCH

The Princess of Wales has likened recovering from cancer to riding “a rollercoaster” as she spoke of going through “hard times” in her battle with the disease.

Kate, who has been gradually returning to public royal duties after being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer, visited a cancer support centre at Colchester Hospital in eastern England on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old princess, who has undergone “preventative chemotherapy”, told patients, volunteers and staff there that life following cancer treatment was not plain sailing.

“It’s a rollercoaster, it’s not one smooth plain, which you expect it to be,” she said.

“But the reality is it’s not, you go through hard times and to have a place like this, to have the support network — whether it’s through creativity and singing or gardening, whatever it might be — is so valuable and it’s great that this community has it.”

Princess of Wales plants a rose in RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex, southeast England. Picture: Stefan Rousseau / POOL / AFP

Kate added that patients recovering from cancer “put on a sort of brave face” and show “stoicism”.

“Treatment’s done, then it’s like ‘I can crack on, get back to normal’ but actually the phase afterwards is really difficult. You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.

“And actually someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment I think is really valuable. You have to find your new normal and that takes time.”

Kate, who has three young children with William, last month pulled out of attending the Royal Ascot race meeting as she continues her recovery and gradual resumption of duties.

Her father-in-law King Charles, 76, announced in early 2024 that he too had been diagnosed with an unspecified cancer.

He has since returned to public duties but is still undergoing treatment.