Princess Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has opened up about her personal battle with cancer and the challenges she faced during her recovery. She had planned surgery at the London Clinic on January 17, 2024. Aside from her last official engagement at the Garter Day procession in Windsor on June 16, 2023, she has remained out of the public view.
On March 22, 2024, Kate recorded a deep, personal video message to her supporters. In that video, she went public with her cancer diagnosis and announced that she is receiving preventative chemotherapy. Since then, one by one, she’s returned to the public sphere, opening up about her experiences and offering a glimpse into living beyond treatment.
Even with the challenges that have come with her diagnosis, Kate has been pulling all the strings behind-the-scenes. Shortly before her passing, she took part in a joint meeting with Prince William that was hosting Melinda French Gates at Windsor Castle. This special engagement is a testament to her dedication to her royal duties, even as she copes with her health issues.
On June 14, 2024—just a few months after entering treatment—Kate proudly declared her “good progress” on Instagram. The bad news, she added, was that the process would drag on for several more months. The next day, she returned to public life with a bang. She was spotted at Trooping the Colour, this being her first major public appearance since diagnosis.
As Kate shared her story on the road to recovery, she shared how the experience had taken an emotional and physical toll. She stated, “It’s life changing for anyone, through first diagnosis or post treatment and things like that, it is a life changing experience, both for the patient but for the families as well.”
Kate’s testimony recognized the challenges of re-entering everyday life after treatment. She remarked on the difficulties faced when she said, “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment… but actually the phase afterwards is really, is really you know difficult.”
Beyond her public engagements, Kate has been busy with a series of initiatives aimed at boosting health and wellbeing. We were treated by sharing the portrait of her and her three children recognizing Hong Kong’s Mother’s Day on 10 March 2024. A few days later, on April 24, she toured the RHS’s Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital. While there, she met with patients and healthcare staff alike to learn how gardens in healthcare environments helped create a stronger connection between nature and improved health outcomes.
On this visit, she talked about the key role community support plays in recovery. “And to have a place like this to have the support network… is so valuable,” she noted. On the birthday visit, the Royal Horticultural Society presented the Princess with 50 of her ‘Catherine’s Rose’ plants. It’s no wonder these stunning flowers were named after her.
Kate’s wellness journey has further led her to set the record straight about her public perception. On March 11, 2024, she issued a public apology for any confusion that may have been created by a digitally altered photograph.
Even as she still battles her ongoing health issues, Kate serves as an inspiration and an example to all of us. On January 14, 2025, she joyfully announced that she was in remission. She had her treatment at The Royal Marsden Hospital, in London.
