Princess Kate makes 2-word admission about cancer journey during first outing of 2026 with Prince William – live updates

During the visit, William and Kate saw how work funded by the Imperial Health Charity, which supports all five of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s hospitals, is making a difference to the workforce and patients.

The Waleses then joined a roundtable with NHS charity CEOs and Trustees, policy makers and philanthropists to discuss the important role of philanthropy in the NHS.

The Princess of Wales bonded with a volunteer who worked with chemotherapy patients who told them how patients and visitors are there “for hours”.Kate, whose cancer is in remission, said: “I know” Then she touched William’s arm next her and said: “We know.” Prince William was due to visit Charing Cross Hospital on his own for first engagement since the Christmas break to show support as hospitals deal with huge numbers of patients during winter.

But in a last-minute change, he was joined by the Princess of Wales who celebrates her 44th birthday tomorrow (Friday), at the hospital in west London. It is understood the joint visit was to acknowledge the incredible work of NHS staff over a difficult winter period. They stunned hard-working health heroes after arriving in the canteen. Then joined a surprise tea party for volunteers and staff to daybreak to say thank you for their hard work.

NHS Charities Together represents over 220 NHS charities based in every NHS Trust and Health Board across the UK, giving £1.5 million every day to the NHS. Through their work, NHS charities help to drive innovation, transform care and support staff wellbeing. By investing in state-of-the-art equipment,  buildings, green spaces and arts, they aim to improve care for patients and also lead prevention projects  in the community that help people to stay well. William and Kate became joint patrons of the organisation in December 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It marked the Prince and Princess’s first public appearance of 2026 after spending the Christmas break in Sandringham. William and Kate were joined by their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven, as they attended church on 25 December alongside the King and Queen, and other members of the family.