George, Charlotte & Louis play games with Middletons on holiday as Kate shares most intimate look at royal life ever

The princess of wales has delivered the news that everyone has been waiting for - she has finished her round of cancer treatment and will return to a programme of light public engagements.

And she has delivered this news in such a wonderful way with a video message showing her smiling, healthy and enjoying life with William and their children.

It is a tale of two videos in many ways. Back in March she told the world in an emotional video - that made many viewers cry - that she was having preventative cancer treatment saying it was a ‘huge shock’ but she needed to be with her family and said asked for time as we wanted to ‘focus on making a full recovery’

And this new video announcement might make people cry yet again. But this time with happiness as she is surrounded by William, her three children and parents Michael and Carole.

She explains her 'relief' at completing chemotherapy treatment and describes how her family has navigated 'stormy waters' of what she says was 'complex, scary and unpredictable' struggle.

She speaks of her cancer treatment helping her reflect on most important things in life which includes she says of 'simply loving and being loved'

In her own words she says she is taking each day as it comes" and describes 'renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life'.

And tells other cancer sufferers that she is by their side.

Now, while we have this wonderful announcement and footage, won't see the Princess of Wales at any engagements this week but her return to light duties will not be far off.

As I say, it will be a light programme while she continues her recovery in her own words she says she wants to remain cancer free.

Her intention is to appear at Armistice Day commemorations supporting her family and war heroes in November and her Christmas Carol concert in December.

But also think we will see her before that - supporting causes close to her heart.

It was back in February that Kate was diagnosed with cancer. It has been a long struggle and she has been blown away by the support she has received.

In her update the princess has not announced what type of cancer nor what stage it was.

But her return to a handful of engagements is expected to continue until the end of the year.

And if she remains cancer free, use that as a springboard into 2025 when she can put a tough year behind her and a more rigorous and full programme will be in place.

JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery

JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery

JAN 18: William spends time at Kate's bedside

JAN 23: The princess' hospital stay passes one week

JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital

FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health

MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate

Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother's Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out 'kill notice' on photo

Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William

Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor

Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport

Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior

Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis

April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos

June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel's Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: "I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon"

June 14: Kate attended Trooping the Colour alongside her family

July 14: Kate attended the Wimbledon Men's Final with Princess Charlotte

WOW! In 40 years of covering the Royal Family I have never seen anything like Catherine’s video.

It’s a first for the royals and these wonderful three minutes of footage brings home just how grateful this young family are that their mum is over the worst.

Finally, after nearly six months of chemotherapy, Catherine is looking forward to being cancer-free.

And joy and relief for the royal couple and their amazing children oozes from every frame.

Once William told me the reason he and Kate took their time getting engaged was because he wanted to make sure his marriage would last forever.

Watching Kate snuggle into her husband’s shoulder as they sat on a pile of logs in the pine woods at Holkham beach, in Norfolk, says to me that they are still very much in love.

Maybe even more so now than in 2011 when I photographed them kissing — twice — on the Buckingham Palace balcony after their wedding.

And I am sure following the toughest few months of their 13-year marriage it will last forever.

Because they have survived the dark days — and they have a bright future to look forward to.

You see a family celebrating, as Catherine says in her voiceover, the simple things in life — stuff that ordinary families do when they are together.

Picnicking, playing cards, having fun and laughter — running into the sea with your clothes on, not a care in the world.

The spot they picked to record the video last month is a firm favourite with the royals, who used to have a summer house there. It is where I photographed the Queen Mum walking her dogs along the shore. And for this next generation of royals that spot will have many happy memories — especially for the children who will always remember this was where they learned that their Mama was getting better.

In 1969, Prince Philip persuaded the Queen to allow cameras to follow them and the children in what was a groundbreaking documentary.

Back then, the royals seemed stilted and a bit remote — a family with a life that most of their subjects could not even imagine.

But here Catherine, William, George, Charlotte and young Louis are a normal family with the same problems the rest of us have to go through.

The kids look so happy that Kate is well and getting slowly back to work, back to the school run and all those things that mothers do but we take for granted.

In the video, she goes on to say simply loving and being loved is so important in life.

With Catherine and the King both having treatment, it shows that cancer doesn’t care who you are — whether a sovereign, a princess or a pauper, this disease is a lottery.

Like millions of families, I know that when you lose someone close who you dearly love from this terrible illness, it’s heartbreaking.

But Catherine has shown the world that you can survive cancer if you catch it early.

I have certainly missed photographing Her Royal Highness on royal engagements this year.

And I am sure William cannot wait to have her back by his side when they travel at home and abroad.

The last time I took Catherine’s picture was at Trooping the Colour in June when she appeared in the carriage and on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

This beautiful woman is one of the brightest stars in the Royal Family.

Everything she does is followed throughout the world and she gets more publicity than any other royal.

In this incredible video, Kate looks happy and well but obviously she’s not completely ready for full-time work.

Bear in mind she will be doing this work for the rest of her life and there will be no retirement for her.

So it’s in everybody’s interest that the Princess gets fully fit before she goes properly back to work.

I, for one, am happy to wait however long it takes — even if she won’t be back at work properly until Remembrance Sunday or even Christmas for her magical carol service at Westminster Abbey.

But when winter is not far away, seeing this lovely family so happy and blessed in the Norfolk sunshine should cheer us all up — and give the country hope for the future.

IT’S wonderful news that the Princess of Wales has finished her chemotherapy treatment.

We all hope that Kate can look forward to a long and healthy life.

What the Princess’s case does highlight is that cancer does not discriminate, anyone can be affected, regardless of their age.

In fact, one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lifetimes.

While we must not live our lives in fear of cancer, it is a timely reminder that it is important to check ourselves and act if we notice anything untoward.

It sounds as though Kate’s cancer was identified at the right time, at a time when she was able to receive treatment.

Early diagnosis of cancer is vital, the earlier it is caught the greater your chance of receiving successful treatment.

If you don’t feel yourself, if you notice something has changed, don’t delay getting it checked out.

It’s fair to say that there are so many different types of cancer, and as a result so many different symptoms.

Sometimes, there aren’t any specific signs, other than not feeling right.
If you’re more fatigued than usual, if you notice you’re losing weight and don’t know why, if you spot any symptom that affects how your body works - a change in bowel habits, for example, or not passing urine properly - get it checked.

It could be a symptom that just doesn’t get better, generally if it’s cancer those niggling symptoms will get worse.

We all experience symptoms that might last a couple of weeks, like a cough or bloating.

But if these symptoms persist and appear to be getting worse, don’t hang about, see your GP.

The best defence we have against cancer is being vigilant with our bodies, and if we suspect something is wrong getting it checked out as soon as possible.

That, and making sure that when you are offered free cancer screening on the NHS, you take up the invite.

My thoughts are with Princess Kate, Prince William and their family after what must have been a terrible nine months.

And my thoughts, like Kate, are with all those affected by cancer.