Princess of Wales shares emotional update about cancer battle

June 14, 2024

The Princess of Wales has penned a moving personal message thanking the public for their support over her cancer diagnosis and revealing she will attend Trooping the Colour tomorrow. Kate, 42, who disclosed back in March that she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ for an undisclosed form of the disease, says her treatment is ongoing and will be for several months to come. While she will not be returning to public duties full time, she does now feel well enough, however, to undertake a small number of public engagements in the coming months. The first will be at the King’s official birthday parade tomorrow where she will ride in a carriage with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis before appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the rest of the Royal Family. To mark the news Kensington Palace have also released a stunning new portrait of the princess taken at Windsor this week by Matt Porteous showing her looking well and in a reflective mood.

In her message, the Princess says she has been ‘blown away’ by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. ‘It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,’ she wrote. Movingly she reveals she is making ‘good progress’, but adds: ‘As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. ‘On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.’ She added: ‘My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home. ‘I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.

‘I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. ‘Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.’ The Princess first announced that she had cancer on March 22. In a hugely moving video statement, recorded at Windsor, she revealed that she had been diagnosed following serious abdominal surgery in January and was already undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy. In the video – which had been filmed just two days earlier – Catherine revealed the news had come as a ‘huge shock’ and that she and William ‘have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’. ‘It has taken us 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.

‘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. ‘Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.’ Kensington Palace said at the time that it would not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and asked people not to speculate. At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They confirmed again in March that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However, post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer ‘had been present’.

It is understood that the princess and the entire Wales family are ‘deeply grateful for the warm and thoughtful wishes’ they have received from all over the world since she shared that news via her video message back in March. The family are also incredibly grateful to members of the public and the media who have afforded the Princess the time, space and privacy that she personally asked for at that time. While her attendance at Trooping the Colour will undoubtedly be a ‘significant moment’, it has been strongly stressed that it should not be seen as a return to a full schedule of public engagements. As Kensington Palace said in March, the Princess may be keen to attend events over the course of the summer, as and when she feels able to, with the support and guidance of her medical team.

Any future engagements will be announced closer to the time, although the Mail understands that Kate will not be present at Monday’s Order of the Garter ceremony or Royal Ascot next week. However, in further good news, it is understood that the Princess is feeling well enough to start working from home a little and has been holding meetings at Windsor. It is believed that the Princess’ medical team have advised that going about her normal life and doing some of the things she enjoys is an integral part of her recovery. In addition to briefings from her team at Kensington Palace, the Royal Foundation and the Centre for Early Childhood, the Princess has started to undertake some meetings relating to her work and projects. From now on, these meetings will be documented in the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements.

However sources have stressed that while the Princess is doing well, she is continuing her course of preventative chemotherapy and it is important that she and her family continue to be afforded the space and privacy they need to prioritise her recover. Tomorrow the Princess will travel with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a state carriage down the Mall and watch the parade from the Major General’s Office with the rest of the royal family. It is also hoped that she will later appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the family, although she may have to see how she feels on the day and plans may yet be amended. It is understood that Kate spoke to the King in advance about her attendance and he was ‘delighted’ at the news. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘His Majesty is delighted that The Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events and is very much looking forward to all elements of the day.’ The Princess is and remains the Colonel of the Irish Guards but under the circumstances, Lieutenant General James Bucknall is taking the salute on her behalf.

No10 and The Cabinet Office have been informed of The Princess’ decision to attend Trooping, and they have informed the opposition parties. Asked how the princess was feeling, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘As she has said she is making good progress and is looking forward to joining the family tomorrow. ‘As she said in her message, and as anyone receiving chemotherapy will know, she has good days and bad days.’ Kensington Palace said it will be not commenting further on her treatment and how long it is expected to last. As for her future programme, sources stressed that the Princess is having to deal with uncertainty like any other cancer patient, and will attend events as and when she feels able to, with the full support and guidance of her medical team. No firm decisions have been made on specific engagements over the coming months. Sources stressed that she must continue to prioritise her recovery and every treatment pathway for someone with cancer is unique and unpredictable. They also urged against recent speculation about the Princess’ recovery and eventual return to work, which has been ‘amplified’ by social media.

Sources close to her emphasised that it is considered extremely unhelpful and puts further pressure on the princess and her family. They insist she continues to need time, space and privacy. Asked about how her husband, Prince William, is doing at such a difficult time for his family, a spokesman said: ‘The Prince is pleased to see The Princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her. ‘He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake his public duties.’ The new portrait of the Princess shows Kate in casual wear – jeans, a beige linen blazer and trainers, with her wedding and engagement rings on show staring wistfully but with an air of positivity into the distance. It was taken by Mr Porteous, a favourite private photographer of the couple, on the Windsor estate earlier this week.

Sources have suggested that as the Princess herself said in her message, she enjoys spending personal time on the things that give her energy and positivity and connecting with nature is something that continue to support her recovery. It is thought that the Princess chose to dip back into the public spotlight for her first public appearance at Trooping because family is so important to her and she wanted to be there to support husband and children. Sources have stressed that she should be continue to be allowed to live a ‘normal private life’, particularly while she recovers. Her return to work is considered one of the first steps to regaining her strength. The Mail exclusively revealed last month that the princess had been swamped with the thousands and thousands of cards, letters and gifts, many of them from people sharing their own personal stories. She has taken the time to read as many as possible personally and has been ‘really touched’.