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Kate Middleton sat down© Getty

Princess Kate's three-word remark to cancer patient after comment about her three children

Princess Kate returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea this week

Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
January 16, 2025
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The Princess of Wales demonstrated her humility when she reflected on her family during a poignant visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital on Tuesday. 

Kate, 43, returned to the Chelsea-based hospital, where she received cancer treatment last year. 

The Princess of Wales© Getty
The Princess of Wales has become a patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

During the visit, the royal expressed her gratitude to her medical teams and showed support to patients undergoing cancer treatment. 

In one touching moment, Kate was commended for managing her role as a mother of three - Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and six-year-old Prince Louis, during her cancer treatment.

One woman told the Princess as she sat with patients and their families on the ward: "I think you've managed the children amazingly well." Touched by the kind words, Kate replied: "Oh, that's kind." 

The Wales family attend the Christmas Morning Service © Getty
Princess Kate has been praised for managing her role as a mother of three during her treatment

She added: "The treatments are really so different and so varied, it impacts families differently." 

Kate was said to have wanted to show her support in person to those going through cancer treatment. 

The unannounced visit coincided with the news that Kate has become joint royal patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside Prince William

WATCH: Princess Kate visits hospital where she received cancer treatment

The Princess has often been praised for her hands-on approach to parenting, despite the demands of royal life. 

Princess Kate went public with her cancer diagnosis back in March 2024. She shared her news with the world via a heartfelt video in which Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. 

In her message, the doting mother stressed the importance of continuing a sense of normality for their children. Both Kate and William first digested the news themselves before sitting down with their kids to explain the situation. 

The Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field during the visit © Getty
The Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field during the visit

"William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," she noted. "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. 

LISTEN: What Prince William's message to Kate on her birthday really means

 "As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. 

Kate spoke with staff and patients © Getty
Kate spoke with staff and patients

"Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both. We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment." 

After her visit to Royal Marsden Hospital, Kate revealed she is in remission from cancer. It was the first time the royal had used the word remission to describe where she was in her cancer journey. In her statement, Kate wrote: "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery."

Timeline of Princess Kate's health updates

Close-up of Kate Middleton wearing a blazer© Getty
Kate went in for abdominal surgery on 17 January

25 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.

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