Princess Kate Middleton shared a rare comment on her cancer journey while speaking to fans after the royal family’s Christmas Day service.
“The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families,” Kate, 42, said on Wednesday, December 25, per footage obtained by the Daily Mail.
While addressing a fan who worked in a cancer unit, Kate continued, “People like you are doing all the hard work out there. I’m hugely grateful.”
After one woman told Kate, “We’re all behind you, never forget that,” the Princess of Wales replied with a smile, “Thank you very much, [that’s] so kind.”
Kate also spoke with Karen Maclean, a 73-year-old who said she had “20 years of cancer.” Maclean told the outlet, “We just had a little talk about cancer, really. I’ve met [King Charles III] before. He said to me, ‘I can remember you,’ I’m thinking, ‘What!’ like, many years ago?”
Maclean noted that Charles, 76, and Kate seemed “very well actually, considering what they’re going through.” (Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February after undergoing a routine prostate procedure.)
In March, Kate revealed her diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer. “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,” she said at the time. “The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I’m now in the early stages of that treatment.”
Kate completed her chemotherapy treatment in September and has since begun returning to work. Her husband, Prince William, confirmed in November that Kate would “be doing a bit more” in 2025.
William, 42, referred to 2024 as the most “dreadful” year of his life following two of his loved ones’ cancer diagnoses. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life,” William said at an Earthshot Prize event. “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
The following month, Kate hosted her annual “Together at Christmas” carol concert and addressed her health battle. William as well as the couple’s kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, attended the service.
“I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had,” she told singer Paloma Faith. “The unplanned. But, I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.”
