Kate Middleton announced to the public in March 2024 that she had received a canc3r diagnosis and had begun a prophylactic chemotherapy regimen.
The Princess of Wales stated that she had finished chemotherapy just nine months later, in September. She then resumed her public royal duties, including a visit to London’s Royal Marsden Hospital, where it was confirmed that she was now in remission.
Following her absence from the Royal Ascot last month (18 June), Kate has now revealed a very open admission in a rare health update about her cancer recovery journey.
The mother-of-three talked candidly about her experience with the “post-treatment phase” of her canc3r journey during a visit to Colchester Hospital’s wellbeing garden earlier this afternoon (2 July), describing it as “really, really difficult.”
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she shared.
Kate then made the heartbreaking admission that she hasn’t been able to ‘function normally at home’ as she used to before beginning her canc3r treatment journey.
“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,” she continued.
“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.”
Kate, who shares three children; Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, with William, hailed it as ‘groundbreaking’ for both the patient and their families.
“You have to find your new normal and that takes time… and it’s a rollercoaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be,” she said. “But the reality is you go through hard times.”
Kate’s comments follow King Charles’ appointment of her and William to new royal positions, according to Buckingham Palace.
They will now be authorized to issue royal warrants for the next year, making Kate the first Princess of Wales to do so since Princess Mary of Teck in 1910.
What is a royal warrant, you might ask?
The royal family regards them as a seal of approval, and any firm that receives one can benefit significantly. They are highly sought-after recognitions of talent, as well as proof that the monarchy has sanctioned the enterprise.
Ian Patrick, the Prince of Wales’ Private Secretary, stated: “Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to be able to recognise and celebrate British industry, creativity, and skills through the granting of Warrants.”
