Photos of Kate at hospital sent incredibly poignant message – she gave cancer patients not just sympathy but empathy too

NOT wishing to sound like Mystic Meg, but when I  saw Catherine on Christmas Day I thought that she was over her cancer treatment and predicted she would soon be back at work.

And how like Kate that on her first solo engagement after remission, that she went back to the hospital where she had her cancer treatment in complete secrecy.

She wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the staff but most important to chat to the patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Catherine gave them not just sympathy but empathy too.

The Princess’s presence on the wards was so encouraging and sent the message ‘I went through this just like you, and you can overcome it, too’.

There were a couple of touching moments.

Kate had her hand on the knee of woman patient, looking straight into her eyes, and the lady was laughing.

In another picture, Catherine had her hand to her chest, full of compassion and understanding.

It wasn't long ago that Kate was the one sitting there in cold cap to stop losing her hair being treated by the wonderful staff.

When you get the all-clear from cancer it is only natural to want to return and say thanks – just like the King did last April when his first engagement after treatment was to University College Hospital. 

The message I got looking at these wonderful pictures of Kate is that this is a woman who wants to give back some of the kindness that she received herself. 

It is significant that both Catherine and William have decided to become patrons at the Royal Marsden Hospital - which is a true 'thank you' from the heart.