Princess of Wales reveals ‘scary’ cancer journey as she completes chemotherapy

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.

The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.

The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.

With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.

This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.

Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.

I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.

Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.

William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling.

To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”

The Princess of Wales’s deeply personal video is a “groundbreaking moment” and “tectonic shift” in how the royal family controls its image, a PR guru has said.

Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski said the “polished” footage, featuring precious family moments and Kate sharing a health update in a voiceover, sets a new precedent, showing vulnerability while staying in command.

“This is film for the YouTube Insta generation – deeply personal yet controlled to convey a family dealing with cancer. A happy family portrait,” he said.

Mr Borkowski added: “It’s groundbreaking, an absolute first – a tectonic shift in how the royal family controls its image.

“Kate’s journey is profound and deeply personal, but they’ve learned that emotion can be controlled – and weaponised – in small, potent doses.

“By doing this through a polished film, they maintain dignity and control while still appearing relatable.”

Tuesday January 16: Kate is secretly admitted to The London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery. Kensington Palace announces the princess’s operation the next dat and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days. She is not expected to return to duties until after Easter, taking up to three months to recover.

Monday March 4: The princess is photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery. Kate is pictured in paparazzi shots near Windsor Castle wearing dark sunglasses in the passenger seat of a car, which was being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

Sunday March 10: Questions are raised that the first picture of the princess to be released after her abdominal surgery may have been manipulated before it was posted on social media by Kensington Palace. Kate publicly takes the blame for the manipulated photograph and issues a personal apology for the “confusion”.

Friday March 22: Kate announces she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in an emotional video message. She describes the “huge shock” after tests identified cancer following her abdominal surgery and the “incredibly tough couple of months” her family has experienced.

Friday June 14: Kate issues a written message saying she is “making good progress” and has “good days and bad days”, adding: “I am not out of the woods yet.”

Saturday June 15: The princess looks relaxed during her first day in the spotlight following her cancer diagnosis at the traditional Trooping ceremony.

Sunday July 14: Kate presents the Wimbledon men’s final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, in her second public engagement since her diagnosis.

Sunday August 11: William, sporting a beard, and Kate appear in a video message congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics, with a compilation of messages from celebrities including Snoop Dogg and David Beckham.

Sunday August 25: Kate joins William, and the King and Queen at Crathie Church, near Balmoral Castle, in Scotland during a summer break in the Scottish Highlands.

Monday September 9: The Princess of Wales says she has finished chemotherapy and is “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months” but adds her focus is on “doing what I can to stay cancer free”. She shares a video montage of precious family time spent with William and her children over the summer.

As Kate Middleton releases an emotional video updating the nation on her health, Leah Hardy writes about why it means so much to her:

The now disgraced Duke of York, 64, has occupied the 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson since 2003 after being gifted a 75-year lease on the property for a reported notional rent of £260,000 a year by the late Queen Elizabeth II, with the added stipulation that he maintains the property.

Following the duke’s public fall from grace due to his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the monarch wants him to move to a smaller, “more appropriate” home, but the duke is said to have consistently refused to leave.

A source told The Times that the monarch plans to privately rent out Royal Lodge for an estimated sum of £1m a year.

The property is reported to be in dire need of repairs Andrew has failed to carry out. “It is now two years into the King’s reign, and he wants the matter settled,” an insider stressed to the newspaper.

“It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad.

“But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke. The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride.”

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis showed off their playful sides as they frolicked through the countryside in a new video giving an update about their mother’s health.

The video, by filmmaker Will Warr, features the princess and her husband, Prince William, share cuddles in the Norfolk woods as they enjoy precious time with their three children.

Daredevil Louis climbs high in a tree, watched by Kate at the bottom, and William uses a playing card to remove a green caterpillar from Charlotte’s hair, showing it to her which makes her squeal.

Read the full story here:

The Princess of Wales gave a positive update on her health in a deeply personal video released on Monday.

The video was shot by filmmaker Will Warr, who has worked with Kate and Prince William before, in 2021 when he filmed their 10th anniversary video.

That film – much like the most recent – showed the couple with their three children enjoying some precious family time together.

Mr Warr is the creative director of Detail Films and also does wedding films.

The prime minister has said he is “pleased to hear” that the Princess of Wales has completed her chemotherapy treatment as he sent his well wishes.

Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X: “Pleased to hear the Princess of Wales has finished chemotherapy. On behalf of the entire country, I send her my very best wishes for a full recovery.”

The future direction of the monarchy is on a knife-edge, amid the passing of the late Queen, tense relationships, and a shrinking inner circle bolstered by an unprecedented health crisis.

The event will be hosted on Zoom and will last one hour. It will take place on Tuesday September 10 and will start at 7pm BST.

Once signed up you will be able to ask questions to the panel. You can also post questions in the comments of this article.

For more information and to sign up for a free ticket click here.