THIS IS the sweet moment Princess Kate rests her head on Prince William’s shoulder and says they are “grateful for loving and being loved” in a touching video.
The mum-of-three, 42, spoke of her “relief” after finishing her chemotherapy treatment, adding that the last nine months have been “incredibly tough”.
The Princess of Wales first announced she had an unspecified cancer in March.
But has today confirmed she is cancer free and heading back to work in the coming months “when I can” – with the video including footage of the Wales children on a picnic and playing during their Norfolk summer holiday.
It comes as:
- Princess Kate reveals she has finished chemotherapy and is focused on being “cancer free”
- The Princess of Wales is “looking forward to getting back to work“
- Both Kate and William are “grateful” for the support they have received
- Touching video of the family is shared as they play on the beach
- Events Kate is expected to attend revealed
It still remains unclear what type of cancer Kate was battling.
It’s understood her intention is to appear at Armistice Day commemorations supporting her family and war heroes in November and her Christmas Carol concert in December.
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 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: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King’s Birthday Parade
June 15: Kate beams as she joins her family at the annual Trooping the Colour event
July 14: The royal attends Wimbledon with sister Pippa and Princess Charlotte to hand out trophies to players
July 15: Kate shares a touching photo of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watching England in the Euro 2024 final
August 11: She joins a bearded Prince William in a video to congratulate Team GB in the Olympics
September 9: Kate reveals her treatment for cancer has finished
However, it is expected she will be seen before that supporting various causes.
Kate is initially seen walking through the woods alone in the video, before she’s joined by her husband and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The film then cuts to the couple, with Kate resting her head on William’s shoulder as they sit in a clearing.
She goes on to say: “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.
EXPERT ANALYSIS: Kate delivered the news we've all been waiting for
By Matt Wilkinson, Sun royal editor
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.
“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. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus.”
Kate explained that although she has finished chemo “my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes”.
CANCER SURVIVOR: 'The end of cancer treatment is a huge milestone'
By Emma Campbell, writer, podcaster and cancer patient
WHAT great news to start the week!
The Princess of Wales has revealed she has completed her course of preventative chemo.
The end of cancer treatment is a huge milestone.
Regardless of the initial diagnosis, the type of chemo, whether you have surgery or not, the significance and impact of this news should not be underestimated.
It has huge physical significance, but often a bigger factor for many cancer patients is the emotional impact.
The big question is typically, ‘Now what?’.
For those fortunate to have escaped being touched by the disease, it might seem pretty straightforward.
Get the party poppers out, the banners and bunting and crack open the Champagne!
In short, draw a big black line under the whole experience and crack on. Get living. It’s done, dusted… time to pick up where you left off.
And yes, it goes without saying, there is so much to celebrate.
But, can I share my more nuanced thoughts as someone who went through primary breast cancer fourteen years ago, and remembers so vividly what those early weeks and months post treatment felt like?
To Princess Kate and the many others like her who will have received this lovely news, I want to say, take a breath, a moment to find your feet.
You’re standing on new ground. Firm and solid, I hope – but new ground nonetheless.
You are a cancer survivor. You are changed in ways you may not yet be aware of – both wonderful but unsettling too.
You need to take time to recalibrate and find your new centre. Your priorities and perspective may have changed forever.
The Princess of Wales talks about focusing on the things that matter most, the things that bring her the most joy.
She acknowledges just how hard the last nine months have been and her words will have an enormous impact on those who need it most.
We need honesty, truth and vulnerability when it comes to sharing our experiences of cancer.
We need tools to enable us to embrace and celebrate our healing whilst also grieving our old selves, and our life before cancer.
Gently does it, that’s what I say.
Let the tears flow and embrace the belly laughs.
Celebrate the resilience you didn’t know you possessed and acknowledge the courage still required to get you through any follow up scans or physical niggles you might experience.
It’s all normal. There will be ebbs and flows and you won’t believe how quickly time passes, how physical strength returns and in cases like mine, eyelashes regrow.
You will experience triggers, but you will enjoy glimmers too.
You’ll be high on life and for good reason – you know what really matters.
You’ll think back to those dark days and those sleepless nights when you barely dared dream of ‘normal life’.
If you’re anything like me, you will have vowed that if you were lucky enough to survive, you would celebrate the everyday routine, the chores, the To Do lists.
You would never take the ‘magical mundane’ for granted again. And, do you know what? Deep down, you won’t.
But you will experience wobbly days, and that’s okay too. They’re allowed. They are necessary and they are part of the healing process.
Welcome to the club, Kate. You are a survivor.
Actually let’s not call it a club, it’s the most incredible community and it’s one that is always there to support you when you need it.
Look to the future, say yes to life, don’t allow anyone to diminish your experience.
We are all each others’ teachers.
Keep sharing and showing your beautiful, warm human side. There is always room for another virtual hand to hold.
She said: “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.”
In a touching final message, Kate added: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side.”
'It's wonderful news': GP
By Dr Zoe Williams, The Sun’s resident GP
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.