Kate Middleton has confirmed her cancer is in remission, revealing her “relief” in an emotional message thanking the staff who treated her.
The Princess of Wales made a surprise return to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where she thanked the staff who provided her with “exceptional” care during her treatment.
She also spoke with patients at the London hospital in what she described as an important moment in her “personal journey”, four months after her chemotherapy ended.
In a message on social media, signed ‘C’, 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.
She paid tribute to the “exceptional” care and advice she received during her diagnosis, saying she and William “couldn’t have asked for more”.
Kate will now take on a role as a joint patron at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. She hopes to “save many more lives” by “supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing”.
She added: “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.”
During her hospital visit, Kate spoke to chemotherapy patient Katherine Field, 45. The princess discussed the port mechanism in her arm which is used to deliver drugs, saying she got “so attached to it” and joked that she was hesitant when asked to take it out.
Speaking of chemotherapy Kate said: “It’s really tough. It’s such a shock. Everyone said to me, ‘please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference’.”
She added: “When I came in everyone said make sure you have all your warm things [clothes] on,” due to side effects which can cause chemotherapy patients to feel cold.
As Kate sat with patients and their families in the ward, one woman said: “I think you’ve managed the children amazingly well.” Kate replied: “Oh that’s kind.”
The official engagement was Kate’s first of 2025 and coincided with the announcement that she had become the joint royal patron of the NHS trust, joining William in the role.
In an emotional encounter, the princess hugged Tina Adumou, who broke down after telling Kate that her 19-year-old daughter is in the intensive care unit.
She put an arm around her and said Ms Adumou’s daughter was in the best possible place, telling her: “I’m sorry. I wish there was more I could do to help. I wanted to come and show my support for the amazing work that’s going on here, and for those who are going through treatment and having such a hard time.”
Kate added: “There is light at the end of that tunnel. Very nice to meet you and best of luck. You are in the best of hands.”
The princess made public her cancer diagnosis in March last year, following months of online speculation about her wellbeing.
In September 2024, the princess revealed that she has finally finished her course of cancer treatment, in a video of the family reflecting on the past nine months.
“Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” she said in the video.
She added to others with cancer: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.”
