Kate shares major cancer update after solo hospital trip to thank nurses who treated her

The Princess of Wales shared a significant update on her cancer journey during an emotional visit to the nurses who treated her.

IN LONDON

The Princess of Wales has made her first solo trip since 2023 to thank the hospital nurses who cared for her during her cancer treatment last year - and also revealed that she is now in remission.

The 43-year-old royal, who finished her chemotherapy last September, wanted to “show her gratitude” to the team of health professionals based at the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London.

Kate’s emotional hour-long visit to the facility - the first in the world to have a dedicated cancer centre - saw her chat with patients who were going through a similar experience to her own.

After her visit, she took to social media to confirm her cancer is now in remission, sharing her “relief” at having gotten through it.

While at the hospital, Kate admitted to the patients that she’d had a “really, really tough” time, reports The Sun.

“The treatments are so different and so varied, it impacts families differently,” she explained.

“I think you’ve managed the children amazingly”, she replied: “Oh that’s kind.”

The Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field during a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14 in London. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

At another point, she discussed the “resilience” required for ongoing cancer battles, telling a male patient: “First of all, a small taster of what you’ve gone through …. It’s to keep coming back.”

The man then joked that he was “still here”, prompting Kate to praise him for his “positive” outlook”.

“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,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson told The Sun.

It comes exactly a year after she was admitted to hospital for surgery. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The princess later shared a personal message of gratitude to the healthcare team on social media following her poignant visit.

“I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year,” she wrote.

“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.”

“... 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.”

The Palace also announced on Tuesday that Kate would be joining her husband, Prince William, in becoming a Patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

“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,” Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of the Trust, said.

She has also become a Joint Patron of the Trust. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It was her first solo engagement since 2023. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

William has been President of The Royal Marsden since 2007. The position was previously held by his mother.

Kate’s poignant visit came exactly one year after she was admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery, during which doctors discovered “cancer had been present”, as the princess revealed in March 2024.

The shock news arrived just weeks after the King had shared his own cancer diagnosis, setting the scene for what William described in November as the “most brutal” year of his life.

Kate completed her own chemotherapy last September. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

After completing chemotherapy in September, Kate has made a cautious return to public life, taking part in select official engagements, including her annual Christmas carol service and the Qatari royal visit in December.

She celebrated her 43rd birthday last Thursday, with William delivering his most personal public tribute to his wife in all their years together.

“To the most incredible wife and mother. 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,” his message read.

Despite her high-profile return to work last month, Palace sources have warned fans that it will be a “gradual” process for the recovering princess.

She will reportedly have her Centre for Early Childhood and UK-based roles as her “primary focus”, and is planning to support the royal family at events such as Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot and the Remembrance Day commemmorations throughout the year.

“There is no huge reset button on her work and if you look to the back end of 2024 there was a gradual return of the Princess of Wales into more public engagements,” a source told The Sun.

“That gradual return will continue into 2025 and it was an extremely warm and wonderful bookend to 2024 to see her at the carol service, and she continues that gradual return.”

Originally published as Kate shares major cancer update after solo hospital trip to thank nurses who treated her