Kate Middleton shares hidden struggle of ‘tough’ cancer treatment for the first time

The Princess of Wales has paid a poignant visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, the very same facility where she received treatment for cancer.

Making her first solo public engagement for more than a year, the future Queen took the opportunity to personally thank the staff for their exceptional care, support and compassion over the past year, as well as to show her support to those currently going through treatment.

Walking through the front revolving door, she said: “Coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it’s quite nice.”

Talking to a patient who has just started chemotherapy, Kate described the affects on family as being ‘really, really tough’. “The treatments are really so different and so varied, It impacts families differently,” she said.
When one patient told her, “I think you’ve managed the children amazingly well,” Kate replied, “It’s just trying to do the best…”

Talking about her own journey, she continued: “You think treatment is finished, crack on with that… daily tasks… but that’s still a real challenge. And understanding that as a patient, yes, there are side effects around treatment, but actually there are more long term side effects.”

Kate announced that she had completed her own chemotherapy treatment at the end of last summer, having been diagnosed with the disease in February. Doctors made the cancer diagnosis after she spent two weeks at The London Clinic in Marylebone following abdominal surgery.

After announcing a leave of absence from royal life, Kate, 43, managed to make public appearances at the King’s official birthday in London, Trooping the Colour in London, and joined her sister Pippa and daughter Princess Charlotte at the Wimbledon Championships last June.

She looks set to make a return to official duties over the coming months. But Kensington Palace was keen to stress that the guidance around the Princess’ return to public facing engagements hasn’t changed and would continue to be gradual. Her visit to the Marsden was so she could reflect on her own personal journey.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “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.”