Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, visited the Royal Marsden hospital in central London on Tuesday and personally thanked medics who treated her for cancer.
Major Abdominal Surgery
Kate, 43, underwent a course of preventative chemotherapy
after major abdominal surgery a year ago revealed the presence
of cancer, meaning she was only well enough to carry out a
handful of public engagements for the remainder of 2024.
Visit To The Royal Marsden Hospital
On her first solo trip after returning to official duties, Kate paid a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital where she had undergone treatment which concluded in September.
She met patients and staff and spoke of the care she had
received at the hospital.
Joint Patron Of The Specialist Cancer Unit
The trip also marked an announcement that she has become joint patron of the specialist cancer unit with her husband, the heir to the throne Prince William.
She told one patient the impact on her family had been
“really, really tough”.
Expression Of Gratitude To The Hospital Team
“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,” a Kensington
Palace spokesman said.
In highly personal video messages, Kate has spoken of
how hard her illness had been on her, William and their three
young children, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Princes George, 11,
and Louis, 6.
End Of Chemotherapy Course
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for
everyone, especially those closest to you,” she said in an
update to mark the end of her chemotherapy course.
Last year saw a traumatic 12 months for the royal family
with King Charles also undergoing treatment for cancer.
A Buckingham Palace source has said his treatment was moving in a positive direction and would continue this
year.
