Kate Middleton shared the personal advice that helped guide her healing during her cancer journey while speaking with a patient at the London hospital where she underwent treatment.
On Jan. 14, the Princess of Wales made a surprise visit o the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she had previously received treatment. Marking her first solo royal engagement of the year, the visit coincided with Kate’s announcement that she is in remission. She is also stepping into a new role alongside Prince William as a patron of the esteemed cancer center.
Princess Kate, 43, used the visit to meet people and staff, telling patient Kerr Melia it was important to keep “doing the things that give you joy,” the Daily Mail reported.
“It makes you appreciate all the small things in life that you take for granted,” Princess Kate said of illness, the outlet said.
Melia, 62, has gastroesophageal cancer, and spoke to the royal about being diagnosed five years ago.
“You’re a strong man,” Princess Kate told Melia, the Daily Mail said. “I’ve had a tiny taste of what you’ve been through, and you’ve had to keep coming back.”
The Princess of Wales’ encouraging word for Melia echoed a sentiment she expressed in the March 2024 video she issued to announce that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
Princess Kate shared that update in an emotional video filmed in the gardens of Windsor Castle, where she described the (undisclosed) diagnosis as a “huge shock” and said she was getting well by “by focusing on the things that will help me heal.”
Kate said then that she and William took time “to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok,” she said in reference to their kids, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits,” Princess Kate said in the video issued last March 22.
The royal was outside of the limelight for almost the entirety of last year to focus on her health, and shared in September — with “relief” — that she completed chemotherapy treatment.
Princess Kate expressed then that she was putting her health first and would take life one day at a time.
“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,” she said in that video message, which featured footage of her with William and their kids. “I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”
She later joined loved ones at a few events in the fall, hosted her fourth annual Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6 and celebrated Christmas at Sandringham with her family.
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Hours after her Jan. 14 visit to the Royal Marsden, Princess Kate confirmed that she is in “remission” from cancer and thanked the center for her care.
“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,” Kate wrote in part online.
“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery,” she said elsewhere in the message. “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. C”
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said that Princess Kate felt compelled to visit Royal Marsden as a way of saying thank you.
“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,” the palace spokesman said.
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