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KATE'S RESILIENCE
Kate’s cancer remission statement is nod to new normal after terrible year – she’s a beacon of hope, royal expert says
The Princess beamed as she greeted staff and hugged patients undergoing chemotherapy today
PRINCESS Kate's cancer remission statement is a "beacon of hope" as she looks ahead to a "new normal", a royal expert said.
The Princess of Wales spoke candidly of her "relief" today as she revealed she is in remission after her cancer battle.
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The royal, 43, made a solo trip to Royal Marsden Hospital in which she thanked staff for her "exceptional"; care.
Royal biographer and commentator Ingrid Seward told The Sun: "When someone has been through something as life threatening as Kate has there's a huge amount of thanks and love. And you really felt that today.
"When Kate met Staff and patients, you felt the hugging and the comfort she was giving them was incredibly genuine, because it really came from her heart, because I think she felt that for the grace of God she might be in that position, too.
"She's a little beacon of hope for cancer sufferers."
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Speaking of what it meant for cancer patients to meet the Princess today, Ingrid said the connection would have been "marvellous".
The royal expert also touched on Kate being a joint patron of the Royal Marsden, and the comfort this will provide.
"I think it was probably a massive tonic to all those cancer sufferers to to meet with her today," she continued.
"The visit to the Royals Marsden today was definitely the most candid she's been.
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"I feel that she's handled this so brilliantly, and she can do no wrong at the moment.
"She's almost come into a sort of saint like position by being so very, very ill, probably a lot more ill than we imagined, and coming through it, and still looking gorgeous, getting on with it."
The royal mum-of-three said in a statement today she looks forward to a ";new normal".
Ingrid said: "She delighted everyone by saying that she was now in remission and a new normal means moving on in her life.
"She's lost a year of her life which is, which is a lot of time to lose. And now she's coming back to normal. But it's a new normal."
When asked what a "new normal" may look like for the Princess, the royal biographer suspected a "packed schedule".
"I think what Kate will just take a little more care not to do too much, not to agree to everything," she said.
"She knows that she's got to say 'no' to some things, but I think it's going to be a packed schedule compared to what we were used to last year, when we hardly saw at all.
"Being with people gives her a real kick, and that is probably part of the mentally healing process.
"I think working and being busy and helping people is definitely her way of getting better."
'DEPTHS OF DESPAIR'
Kate also mentioned devoted husband William in her statement today, and how Royal Marsden staff helped the couple cope together.
Ingrid said the "terrible year brought the Prince and Princess of Wales even closer".
"They've shared, you know, probably the depths of despair we will never know," added the biographer.
"I think it's made their relationship stronger."
Meanwhile, fellow royal expert Robert Jobson, Kate's biographer, told The Sun he was "thrilled" by the Princess' remission update today.
"Catherine is beacon of hope to so many people and the fact that she feels well enough to go to the Royal Marsden, where so much I important work is done, and thank the staff and meet patients is wonderful," he said.
“Both the Prince and Princess have had such a tough year - brutal as Prince William said - and it does seem that she has turned the corner.
"She looked beautiful and flashed that beautiful smile of hers, bringing a little bit of joy and hope to people there.
"I wouldn’t expect her to rush back to full on work. But to pace herself and listen to her body going forward.
"Let’s hope we get some really positive news from the King soon too."
It comes after Kate made a solo appearance at The Royal Marsden today.
The Princess beamed as she greeted staff and hugged patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Speaking at the public engagement, she said: "I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year.
"My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more.
"The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional."
The mum-of-three's emotional statement continued: "In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is, that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer.
"It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery.
"As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.
"I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support."
What does it mean to be ‘in remission’ after cancer?
Hearing ‘remission’ after receiving cancer treatment is good news.
Being 'in remission' after cancer means that there are no signs or symptoms of cancer detectable in the body with the use of scans or blood tests.
The person show no signs directly related to the cancer either.
It can be partial or complete - even with the latter, it does not mean the cancer is cured.
‘Cured’ is not a term doctors would like to use, because they cannot guarantee there are zero cancer cells in the body.
Regular follow-up appointments and monitoring are essential to watch out for a possible return of the cancer.
People might need to take medication to keep their cancer at bay, for example hormone treatments.
Remission indicates that the cancer has responded to treatment and is currently under control.
- Partial remission: Some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.
- Complete remission: All signs and symptoms of cancer are gone, although this does not necessarily mean that the cancer has been cured.
The mum-of-three has now finished her chemotherapy and met health carers to personally “show her gratitude”.
Kate also asked patients about details of their treatment, trials, wellbeing, and asked after their families.
Hearing about one man’s diagnosis, the Princess of Wales said: “The body is amazing at telling us ‘you need to take time out’.”
Speaking of receiving a diagnosis, she said: “It’s the uncertainty of that initial diagnosis. It’s such a wealth of information.
"Understanding the diagnosis, it’s a massive amount of information to take on as a patient. Having that continuity, in the clinical setting and outside in the home setting, is so important.”
On the way out she gave a hug to Tina Adumou who told her her 19-year-old daughter is in hospital receiving treatment.
Putting an arm around her, Kate asked questions and reassured her that she was in the best possible place.
She added: "I wish I could do more. It will get better. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Expert comment from Arthur Edwards, Sun royal photographer
By Arthur Edwards, Sun royal photographer
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.
"Best of luck. You are in the best hands".
Kate's trip came almost exactly a year after she was taken to The London Clinic for abdominal surgery and later found out she had cancer.
It comes as the Waleses were also today announced as Joint Patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
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Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to The Royal Marsden in Chelsea this morning, and are delighted that Her Royal Highness is now joining His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in becoming Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre.
"We are incredibly fortunate to receive Royal Patronage – it is inspiring for staff and patients and enables us to shine a light on the outstanding work our staff deliver every day for patients and their families."
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Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent abdominal 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 pens letter to Irish Guards revealing: "I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon"
June 15: Kate attends Trooping the Colour alongside her family
July 14: Kate attends the Wimbledon Men's Final with Princess Charlotte
August 11: Kate and William release video congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics
August 25: Kate is seen heading to church
September 9: Kate shares moving video revealing she has finished chemotherapy
January 14, 2025: Emotional Kate speaks of her "relief" as she reveals she's in remission.
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