The Princess of Wales today reveals she has finished her course of ‘preventative chemotherapy’ following her health crisis earlier this year and plans to undertake a ‘light programme’ of public engagements over the coming months.
However she warns that ‘doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus’ and admits that the last nine months have been a ‘scary and unpredictable’ time for her family.
The experience, Catherine says, has reminded her and her husband, Prince William, 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.’
The princess’ personal message to the nation is accompanied by a stunning three-minute long video showing her and William in Norfolk with their three children Princes George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, shot last month.
It shows the family playing happily on the beach and in the woods, William and Catherine laying entwined on a blanket, hugging their children – and kissing.
In an uplifting video message shared today, the Princess of Wales revealed she has finished her course of ‘preventative chemotherapy’
The princess’ personal message to the nation is accompanied by a stunning three-minute long video showing her and William in Norfolk with their three children Princes George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
The charming video that accompanied the message was shot last month
Catherine and William hug each other on a picnic blanket in an adorable moment from the video
In her message the princess says: ‘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. ‘
Referring to her plans for the coming months, Catherine continues: ‘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.’
And she ends it with a deeply moving and emotional message to fellow cancer patients and their families, saying: ‘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.’
Palace source emphasised that while the princess is looking forward to undertaking a ‘handful’ of public engagements over the coming months, her focus is on being ‘cancer free’ and her journey to full recovery ‘is long’.
Her programme of engagements will be ‘light’ but is likely, as previously revealed by the Daily Mail, to including Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph and other events around it.
She will not accompany Prince William to his Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town in November, emphasising she wanted to remain in the UK to support her young family for whom the year has been difficult too.
She has already started to work from home on ‘passion projects’ such as her early childhood programme and will continue to do so for the rest of the year.
A source stressed that the entire Wales family are ‘immensely grateful for the kind and thoughtful wishes they have received over the past nine months’ and are grateful to the media for its cooperation in affording her space and privacy.
Catherine spoke of her ‘relief’ at her programme of chemo finally coming to an end
The princess walks through the foods under dappled sunlight during the video released alongside her statement
The new video of the princess and her family – an unprecedented piece of deeply personal footage – was filmed in Norfolk by one of their favourite film-makers, Will Warr
Kate pictured behind the wheel as she reads her statement as a voiceover
The setting of the footage is deeply symbolic, drawing on the strength Catherine has drawn from her family and loved ones and from spending time on the things which bring her joy,
The Cambridge children play in the sea during the video released today
The princess was first admitted to hospital in January for what has only been described as planned abdominal surgery.
It was later discovered by doctors that cancer had been present and she embarked on her treatment in late February.
Kensington Palace has not confirmed whether the princess expects to return to a full programme of duties next year. It is understood that decisions about 2025 will be taken in line with medical advice.
However sources told the Mail tonight that the Princess hopes to do a small number of engagements shining a light on some of the causes, issues and charities that are closest to her heart over the coming months.
They are only likely to be announced last minute as they will depend as and when Her Royal Highness feels able to carry them out, with sources stressing repeatedly that every ‘cancer journey is different’.
It is understood that she is also working with staff on plans for her annual carol concert in December.
The new video of the princess and her family – an unprecedented piece of deeply personal footage – was filmed in Norfolk by one of their favourite film-makers, Will Warr.
The setting of the footage is deeply symbolic, drawing on the strength Catherine has drawn from her family and loved ones and from spending time on the things which bring her joy, particularly the sanctuary she has found in the natural world.
It also features her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who have been an unwavering source of support.
The Cambridges and their three children clamber over tree trunks near their Norfolk home
Prince Louis appeared his usual cheeky self during the charming family video
Louis brings his face to the camera as George and Catherine are seen in the background
Princess Charlotte was also seen several times during the footage
Catherine announced publicly five months ago that she had been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy.
‘I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits,’ she said at the time, in a highly emotional and unprecedented video message.
The message followed the major abdominal surgery Catherine had in January, where she spent two weeks at the London Clinic in Marylebone.
She made her first public appearance since the bombshell announcement in June when she joined the Royal Family to celebrate the King’s official birthday.
Her appearance at Trooping of the Colour had been in doubt after she missed the final rehearsal the weekend prior to the celebration, with confirmation that she would attend only given at 6pm the evening before.
In her second public appearance, the mother-of-three attended Wimbledon alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte and her sister, Pippa Middleton.
She was greeted with a standing ovation as she headed into the Royal Box during the tennis tournament in July.
The Princess passed the trophy to Carlos Alcaraz who defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets on centre court.
Before Catherine and Charlotte took their seats in the Royal Box, they met with female tennis stars, including Emma Radacanu, who presented the Princess of Wales with a bouquet of flowers.
US Open winner Raducanu said it was ‘amazing’ to have the royal’s support and ‘see her here looking so healthy and happy’.
Catherine – who enjoys taking part in sporting events and showing her support for athletes – also made a surprise appearance alongside Prince William with a star-studded message to Team GB earlier this month.
Dressed in a classic black and white striped top, the tennis fan beamed as she said: ‘From all of us watching at home, congratulations to Team GB.’
The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB top, then briefly added: ‘Well done to Team GB you’ve been an inspiration to us all.’
The news that Catherine is set to return to public duties in the autumn comes after it was revealed yesterday that the King’s health is also heading in a ‘very positive’ direction.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in January after undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King and Queen are gearing up for an important tour to Australia and Samoa in the autumn – their first major overseas trip since news of Charles’s cancer was announced.
Down-time will be incorporated in Australia and Samoa, with not too many back to back meetings, consideration given to the time difference, and a hoped-for trip to New Zealand removed to reduce the travel demands, but Charles’s programme is still expected to be ‘pretty full on’
‘Health has to remain the number one priority, albeit heading in a very positive trajectory,’ a source said.
Camilla also gave an insight into the King’s treatment this week when she opened a new cancer centre in Bath, revealing he was ‘doing very well’.
The King spent around three months away from public-facing duties when he was diagnosed with cancer in January.
Sitting on a bench at Windsor, surrounded by spring flowers, the Princess of Wales took the extraordinary step of revealing to the world that she has cancer in March
Kate standing next to Charles during Trooping the Colour on June 15
Kate at Trooping the Colour in June, where she stepped out in a stylish monochrome Jenny Packham dress featuring a statement bow
The Princess of Wales and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, were snapped in the Royal Box at Wimbledon alongside Pippa Middleton in June
The Princess of Wales made a congratulatory message for Team GB this month alongside her husband
He then returned to work in April with a visit to a cancer centre in London where he met with fellow patients.
The King’s aides took the opportunity to point out that not all recovery programmes for cancer patients are the same.
He had a high profile run of engagements through the next few months with D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy, Trooping the Colour, the incoming Japanese state visit, a short trip to Jersey and Guernsey, the appointment of a new Prime Minister after Labour’s landslide general election, and the State Opening of Parliament.
King Charles will mark the second anniversary of his accession to the throne on Sunday.
