Kate reveals she is in remission from cancer

The Princess of Wales has revealed she is in remission from cancer after returning emotionally to hospital where she received treatment.

In a message posted on social media, Catherine spoke of her “relief” and said she remained “focused on recovery”.

“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to get used to a new normal. However, I look forward to a fulfilling year ahead,” the princess wrote in the post, which she signed off as “C”.

Earlier, on a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London, Catherine thanked staff and empathized with cancer patients about the “tough” treatment, but assured them there was “light at the end of that tunnel”.

This is the first time it has been confirmed that the princess is in remission from cancer.

She announced her diagnosis last March before revealing in September that she had finished her chemotherapy, saying: “Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus.”

Cancer Research UK says the word “remission” means that after treatment there are no signs of the cancer.

The charity says some cancers can come back, so doctors tend to use the word remission and not “cure”.

In her message on social media, Catherine thanked the Royal Marsden Hospital for its “extraordinary” care and for looking after her “so well”.

She added: “My heartfelt thanks go out to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we’ve navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more.”

On Tuesday morning, the princess had spoken to cancer patients at the Royal Marsden, drawing on her own first-hand experiences in her most significant solo royal engagement since her treatment ended.

Catherine told a woman undergoing chemotherapy: “It’s really hard… It’s such a shock… Everyone said to me, ‘please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference’.”

The princess arrived as a guest now and not as a patient, but sympathized with those undergoing treatment – and described how she was still feeling the long-term effects.

“You think the treatment is over and you can go on and get back to normal, but it’s still a real challenge,” she said.

“The words completely disappear. And understand that as a patient – yes, there are side effects around the treatment, but actually there are more long-term side effects.”

Asked how she was feeling, Catherine said she was fine, but added: “Sometimes from the outside we all think you’re done with treatment and you go back to things. But it’s hard to come back to normal.”

The princess hugged Tina Adumou, who burst into tears when she told how her 19-year-old daughter is in the intensive care unit.

Catherine put an arm around her, looking emotional, and told her she was in the best possible place.

The princess said: “I’m sorry. I wish there was more I could do to help. I wanted to come and show my support for the fantastic work that goes on here and for those going through treatment and having such a hard time.”

Catherine added: “Are you okay? Yes?”, then said with a smile: “There is light at the end of that tunnel. Very nice to meet you and good luck. You are in the best of hands.”

The Princess’s visit was the first time it had been revealed that the Royal Marsden was the hospital where she received cancer treatment.

It is almost a year since the princess’s health problems were first revealed – with an announcement in January last year that she had undergone stomach surgery.

Catherine then announced in a video statement in March that she was in early stages of receiving cancer treatment – and in September released a video saying that her chemotherapy was completed.

Since the end of her treatment, she has gradually returned to more public events, including Remembrance Sunday and her carol concert at Westminster Abbey, which were seen as positive signs of her recovery.

The Princess has now made her first major engagement of 2025 – a return to the hospital where she was treated to see those who helped her at the Royal Marsden, which specializes in cancer treatment and research.

Catherine has become joint royal patron of the hospital, with Prince William already patron.

Diana, Princess of Wales, had previously been a royal patron.

The Royal Marsden, which treats 59,000 patients each year, was founded as a specialist cancer hospital in 1851.