Kate is ‘now in remission’ after visiting hospital where she was treated for cancer

The Princess of Wales has confirmed she ‘now in remission’ from cancer following a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital where she received her treatment.

A message on social media, signed ‘C’, 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.

‘We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional.

‘In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer.

‘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.’

It comes after Kate Middleton, dressed in a long dark tartan coat and burgundy polo neck and skirt, personally thanked staff for her care at the hospital today.

The surprise official solo engagement – the princess’s first of 2025 – was described as an important moment in Kate’s ‘personal journey’.

It had not been revealed that Kate, who underwent chemotherapy last year, was treated at the Marsden.

She said as she arrived: ‘I was just saying, coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it’s quite nice.’

Speaking to four other cancer patients about undergoing chemotherapy, she told them: ‘It’s really tough.’

‘Everyone said to me please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference,’ Kate said.

‘When I came in everyone said make sure you have all your warm things (clothes) on.’

Asked how she was feeling, Kate replied that she was doing well, but recalled the cycle of treatment saying ‘sometimes you feel relatively well, and then you have another one.

‘Sometimes from the outside we all think you’ve finished treatment and you go back to things. But it’s hard to get back to normal.’

She told several patients it was so important to keep ‘doing the things that give you joy’.

‘It makes you appreciate all the small things in life that you take for granted.’

In a discussion about holistic care, the Princess of Wales repeated that the ‘continuity is so important, on good days and bad days’.

She added: ‘I feel like it’s sometimes for the loved ones around us. They need support just as much as I did as the patient.’

Kate met medical teams working in different roles at the hospital’s Chelsea site, and spent around an hour chatting to staff and speaking with patients.

The ‘incredibly poignant’ visit comes as both the Prince and Princess of Wales were announced as the new Joint Patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

Dame Cally Palmer, chief executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to The Royal Marsden in Chelsea this morning, and are delighted that Her Royal Highness is now joining His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in becoming Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre.

‘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.’

The visit to the Marsden comes two days before the first anniversary of Kate’s admittance to the London Clinic for major abdominal surgery on January 16 2024.

Kensington Palace said t the guidance around the Princess of Wales’s return to public-facing engagements had not changed and that this would continue to be gradual.

She spent nearly two weeks in hospital after the operation, and was recuperating at home when she was told she had cancer and had to begin chemotherapy.

William described 2024 as ‘brutal’ and probably ‘the hardest year’ of his life, with his father, the King, also diagnosed with the disease.

In September, Kate confirmed she had finished her chemotherapy and told of her joy.

‘As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,’ she said in a video.

‘Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. 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.’

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