On Wednesday, Kate Middleton visited Colchester Hospital in Essex. In the hospital’s gardens, she opened up about her battle with cancer and the little-known trials of remission, mentioning that life never really goes back to normal. There’s a before and an after, and the princess said she didn’t anticipate that the period after treatment would be so trying.
“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,’’ she said. “Actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think, is really valuable.” Princess Catherine described this stage as “a rollercoaster,” punctuated by “really difficult” moments.
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The mother-of-three announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 before taking time away from the spotlight. In September, she announced that she had completed chemotherapy. It wasn’t until January 2025 that she shared that she was in remission. “It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery,” she wrote in an Instagram caption. “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.”
Since the announcement of her illness, Prince William’s wife has deliberately slowed the pace of her work. After appearing at Trooping the Colour and Garter Day, she chose to withdraw from an appearance at Royal Ascot to preserve her health. Returning to work this week, she remains focused on finding “the right balance.” The illness, she shared Wednesday, offered her “a new perspective.”
Originally published by Vanity Fair France.
