The Princess of Wales is now in remission from cancer, with Kate sharing her "relief" after an emotional visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London on 14 January.
In a written message, just hours after the unannounced outing, the Princess, 43, 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."
Kate said she remains "focussed on recovery" and added: "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."
© GettyAs she thanked staff and comforted patients at the hospital, the royal also opened about her "really tough" chemotherapy and joked about becoming attached to her "port," which is used to deliver medicines.
The mother-of-three is gradually making a return to her royal duties, having stepped out for a number of high-profile engagements at the end of 2024, including Remembrance events, her carol service at Westminster Abbey and the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham.
Kate first revealed her shock diagnosis in March 2024 and underwent six months of chemotherapy.
Unknown details about treatment
During her visit to the Royal Marsden, the Princess opened up about her experience of her "really tough" chemotherapy.
Speaking with patient Katherine Field, Kate gestured to her own chest as she spoke about the port mechanism used to deliver the drugs during treatment.
© Getty"I got so attached to it," she said, joking she had hesitated when finally told "you can have it taken out" now.
Kate also discussed the use of cold caps with Ms Field, but did not have to use one herself.
End of chemotherapy
The Princess announced she had completed chemotherapy last autumn, sharing the welcome news in a personal video message.
The intimate footage showed the Princess spending precious family time with her husband, their three kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton.
In the voiceover, Kate opened up about her "incredibly tough" nine months, describing her cancer journey as "complex, scary and unpredictable."
Watch the video in full...
Public appearances
Royal watchers were thrilled when Kate made her first major appearance of 2024 as she joined the royal family at Trooping the Colour last June.
Kate, who wore a white and navy Jenny Packham dress, travelled in the carriage procession with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to watch the ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.
© GettyThe Princess and her three children then joined the Prince of Wales, the King and Queen and other senior working royals on the balcony to watch the flypast.
© GettyA month later, Kate was given a standing ovation by the crowd on Centre Court as she attended the Men's Wimbledon final with daughter Charlotte and her sister, Pippa Matthews.
© James Veysey/ShutterstockThe royal looked regal in a purple Safiyaa London dress as she watched the action between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, later presenting the trophy to winner Alcaraz on the court.
On 10 October, Kate joined William to meet the bereaved families of the Southport stabbing victims and to thank the first responders, who helped at the scene.
© GettyOver Remembrance weekend in November, the Princess pays her respects at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and stands alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh to watch the service at the Cenotaph.
© GettyOn 3 December, Kate joined Charles and William to welcome the Emir of Qatar to the UK for a two-day state visit.
© Getty ImagesThree days later, she hosts her Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, where she is joined by her husband and children, her parents and siblings and other royals.
© GettyShe is heard on broadcast footage telling singer Paloma Faith: "I didn’t know this year was going to be the year I've just had."
© GettyThe Princess joined her family for the annual Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, where she was inundated with cards and gifts from well-wishers.
When did the royal announce her cancer diagnosis?
The mother-of-three announced the news in a personal video message on 22 March 2024, where she explained that at the time of her abdominal surgery in January, her condition was believed to be non-cancerous. However, post-operative tests found cancer had been present.
"It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful," said Kate in part.
The Prince and Princess wanted to share the news when they "felt it was right for them as a family".
© GettyIn her statement, Kate said: "This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
"But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok."
What type of cancer did Kate have?
The type of cancer was not disclosed by Kensington Palace in order to keep the Princess' personal health and medical records private.
Why did she have surgery?
The reasons for Princess Kate's major abdominal surgery which she underwent in January 2024 have not been disclosed. It was thought at the time that the procedure was non-cancerous, however, subsequent tests found that cancer was present.
On 17 January 2024, it was confirmed by Kensington Palace that Kate had been admitted to the private London Clinic for planned abdominal surgery.
© GettyThe palace released a lengthy statement, which added: "The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."
How long did the Princess stay in hospital?
The royal was discharged from the London Clinic on 29 January 2024 after a 13-day stay in hospital.
Kensington Palace shared in a statement at the time: "The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.
© Getty"The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.
"The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world."
Timeline of Princess Kate's health updates
© Getty25 December 2023 – Kate is last seen publicly on Christmas Day
9 January 2024 – Kate celebrates her 42nd birthday, with the King and Queen sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the coronation to mark the day.
11 January 2024 – William returns to royal duties, meeting rugby heroes Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
17 January 2024 – Kensington Palace announces in a statement that Kate has undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic and that William has temporarily stepped back from royal duties to care for Kate and their children.
18 January 2024 – William visits Kate at the London Clinic.
26 January 2024 – King Charles visits Kate in hospital before undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
29 January 2024 – Kate is discharged from hospital and returns home to Windsor to continue her recovery. King Charles also leaves the London Clinic on the same day after his treatment.
7 February 2024 – William resumes royal duties attending London's Air Ambulance Charity gala with Tom Cruise.
10 February 2024 – William and Kate spend February half-term with George, Charlotte and Louis at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. Kate's siblings are also pictured on holiday during the school holidays, with James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet flying to the Caribbean with baby Inigo, and Pippa Matthews and her family holidaying on the island of St Barts.
27 February 2024 – Kate said to be "doing well" as William pulls out of King Constantine memorial due to a "personal matter".
29 February 2024 – Kensington Palace addresses social media speculation, reiterating: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter."
10 March 2024 - A photograph of Kate with their three children at home in Windsor is released to mark Mother's Day and to thank the public for their "continued support".
11 March 2024 - Kate publicly apologises for the "confusion" around the photograph as she admitted she "occasionally experiments with editing," after news agencies pulled the image amid claims it had been digitally altered. The Princess is then seen in a car with William as she's driven to a private appointment in London.
19 March 2024 - Footage of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop is shared by The Sun and TMZ in the first video sighting of the Princess since surgery.
22 March 2024 - Princess Kate confirms that she has been diagnosed with cancer in a moving video message and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
18 April 2024 - Prince William returns to royal duties after spending Easter holidays privately as a family.
10 May 2024 - Prince William says Kate is "doing well" as he visits the Isles of Scilly.
21 May 2024 - Princess Kate is "excited" as Kensington Palace shares update on her early years work with the release of her Business Taskforce's prioritising childhood report.
8 June 2024 - Princess Kate writes letter to Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take part in the salute at the Colonel's Review.
14 June 2024 - In a personal statement, Kate shares she is making "good progress" and that her "treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months".
15 June 2024 - Kate makes her first major public appearance since diagnosis at Trooping the Colour.
14 July 2024 - Kate watches the Men's final at Wimbledon with Princess Charlotte and Pippa Matthews.
11 August 2024 - William and Kate congratulate Team GB athletes in a video message after the Paris 2024 Olympics.
9 September 2024 - Kate confirms she's completed chemotherapy in moving video message.
10 October 2024 - Kate joins William on visit to bereaved families in Southport.
9/10 November 2024 - Princess attends Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Day service at Cenotaph.
3 December 2024 - Kate greets Emir of Qatar alongside William during state visit.
6 December 2024 - The Princess of Wales hosts her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
25 December 2024 - William and Kate attend the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham with the royals.
14 January 2025 - The Princess confirms she's in remission after visiting The Royal Marsden hospital in London - where she was treated.
