The Princess of Wales has shared her "relief" as she confirmed she has completed the course of preventative chemotherapy in an intimate and moving video message.
In a personal update Kate, 42, opened up about her experience, saying it has been "incredibly tough" for her family and they "have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown".
The Princess continued: "Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.
"I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can."
The royal's message played over the top of beautiful family footage of the Princess spending time with her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, during the school summer holidays.
Shot by videographer Will Warr at their family abode in Norfolk, it showed the family-of-five taking a walk through the woods, playing cards with Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and enjoying a picnic.
Watch in full here...
And in a number of rare PDAs, William and Kate, who celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary in April, can be seen holding hands together on a picnic blanket, with the Princess resting her head on her husband's shoulder.
© Will WarrAnother moment sees the couple laughing together while lying on a picnic blanket, with their dog, Orla by their side. William sweetly kisses his wife on the cheek as she giggles.
In another sweet scene, the couple hold hands as they watch their children play on hay bales and pose for number of family snaps.
© Kensington PalaceKate touchingly thanked the public for their support, saying: "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."
HELLO! understands that the King and Queen consider today's announcement to be wonderful news and will continue to offer all love, thoughts and support to the Princess on her continued path to full recovery.
Meanwhile, Kate's younger brother, James Middleton, shared in an Instagram comment: "I couldn’t be more proud [heart emoji]."
The Princess' message in full
"As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.
"The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. 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.
© Kensington Palace"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. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.
"I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.
© Will Warr"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.
"To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright."
When will Kate return to public duties?
The Princess 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."
HELLO! understands Kate will undertake a light programme of work between now and the end of the year and this will include a handful of public engagements over the coming months as part of her gradual return to public duties.
© Will WarrShe is also working towards appearing with the royal family at the annual Remembrance Sunday service staged at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
The Princess' Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey has become a firm fixture in the royal calendar in recent years and she has begun working with her team on the project.
Timeline of Princess Kate's surgery and 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.
Will Kate join William in Wales?
The Prince of Wales will carry out engagements in Llanelli in South Wales on Tuesday 10 September to celebrate Welsh sport and culture and meet local communities. However HELLO! understands that the Princess will not be joining him.
William returned to his royal duties last week, visiting the Homelessness: Reframed exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery.
© GettyKate's public appearances so far
The Princess made her first major public appearance following her cancer diagnosis at the King's birthday parade – formally known as Trooping the Colour – in June.
Kate, who looked elegant in a white Jenny Packham dress with navy detailing, joined her children in the carriage procession down the Mall as her husband rode horseback.
© GettyShe watched the military spectacle from the windows of the former Duke of Wellington's office overlooking Horse Guards Parade, before travelling back to Buckingham Palace in the procession.
The Princess then appeared on the palace balcony with her family as they watched the RAF flypast.
A month later, Kate attended the men's final at Wimbledon, alongside daughter Charlotte and her sister, Pippa Matthews.
© James Veysey/ShutterstockThe royal, who wore a purple Safiyaa London dress, looked particularly touched as she was given a standing ovation from the crowd before she took her seat in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
She later presented the winning trophy to Spanish champion, Carlos Alcaraz.
The Princess then spent time with her family at their Norfolk abode, Anmer Hall, during the school summer holidays, with the Waleses also spotted at Bear Grylls' Gone Wild festival at nearby Holkham Hall.
© InstagramKate appeared in a video message alongside William to congratulate Team GB on their success at the Paris 2024 Olympics on 11 August.
She was then pictured in the car on the way to church as they joined the King and Queen at Balmoral for the August Bank Holiday weekend.
