Princess Catherine says she has finished chemotherapy course

London: Princess Catherine has finished her course of preventative chemotherapy and says she will return to light royal duties later this year after months from the public view following her diagnosis with an unspecified type of cancer.

In a statement on Monday (UK time), Catherine said she would resume duties “when I can” and was focusing on being cancer-free after major abdominal surgery in January revealed the presence of cancer.

Kensington Palace released a video, filmed in rural Norfolk last month, showing a healthy-looking Catherine on a day out with her three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 – and her husband, Prince William.

“I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she said in the video.

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”

Catherine’s first public appearance since her health issues emerged was in June at Trooping the Colour, the annual military parade to mark the official birthday of King Charles. In July, she appeared at the Wimbledon tennis championships.

Kensington Palace released a video featuring Prince William, Princess Catherine and their children.Credit: Instagram/@princeandprincessofwales

The video showed the princess sharing a picnic in the woods and jumping in and out of waves on the English coast with her husband, in one of the most intimate videos the family has released to date.

Set to the soundtrack of violins, it features Catherine and William warmly hugging each other on a sunny day in the English countryside. It is likely that it is aimed at putting an end to rampant online speculation about both her health and the state of their marriage after she dropped out of public view earlier this year.

The princess also used her message to thank her family and the public for their support and offered solidarity to others undergoing cancer treatment.

“William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. 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.”

Catherine’s return to the public eye marks another positive development for the royals after both the princess and King Charles were sidelined by cancer this year. However, Charles has made regular public appearances as doctors say he is recovering well.

He plans to visit Australia for the first time as monarch in October.

Catherine’s next public appearances are expected to include attending the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday with other royals. She is also reportedly planning to host her traditional Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in December.

“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted,” she said. “Of simply loving and being loved.”

In January, Catherine spent 13 nights at the London Clinic, near Regent’s Park in central London, following abdominal surgery that the palace said wasn’t cancer-related. She later said that during that operation cancer was found and that she was having treatment.

But as the weeks went by, rumours began to circulate about her whereabouts. In an effort to address speculation, the palace released a photo of Catherine and her children, timed for Mother’s Day in the UK, but it was later revealed to have been edited. Catherine then went online, confirming that it was she who edited it and apologised.

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