The Princess of Wales has released her most intimate video yet to reveal she has finished a course of chemotherapy treatment.
In the deeply moving clip, mum of three Kate, 42, described the last nine months since discovering she had cancer as ‘scary’ and “incredibly tough” but says “out of darkness, can come light”. The future Queen said despite “feeling well” she was now on a long road to recovery, but plans to start a light programme of engagements.
Palace sources said she is hoping to attend the Cenotaph with her family for Remembrance Sunday but would not be joining Prince William in November during the future King’s Earthshot Prize awards in South Africa. In a beautiful and emotional video, Kate is seen looking up adoringly at William as she rests her head on his shoulder, later laughing with him, holding hands and kissing each other.
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Will Warr))
As part of the candid and heartfelt footage Kate takes a moment to pay tribute “all those who are continuing their own cancer journey” saying: “I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.” In one shot, playful Kate jumps on hay-bales and plays cards with her children in Norfolk. In the video, she reveals how she’d come “face to face” with her own ‘vulnerabilities’.
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she revealed. “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. 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.”
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Will Warr))
Kate and William have been seen in recent weeks enjoying time with their three children in Norfolk at a family fun festival, playing with Nerf toys as well as sailing close to their Anmer Hall home near to the King’s Sandringham residence. The future Queen said that she would now carry on the work she loves from home whilst concentrating on her long road to recovery and “being cancer-free is her focus” in the future.
“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. 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.”
The Princess said she had been “blown away” by the worldwide support and has started to work from home, on projects including her work on early childhood and plans for her annual Christmas carol concert. Her last official engagement was the Trooping the Colour to celebrate the King’s official birthday.
Kate, 42, then looked radiant as she joined her three children George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, five, in a state carriage down The Mall for the big family moment. Since January, both King Charles and his daughter-in-law Kate, have been diagnosed with cancer and forced to take time away from their public duties.
King Charles has since returned to a slimmed down schedule of public duties, including travelling to Normandy for the D-Day 80th anniversary. But Kate had stopped all public appearances after announcing her cancer diagnosis and having successful “planned abdominal surgery” in January.
In March, she released a video statement thanking the public for their ‘understanding’ as she recovered from surgery. She explained: “It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family. In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. 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 am now in the early stages of that treatment. This of course came as a huge shock…”
