The Princess of Wales has made a surprise return to the Royal Marsden Hospital to personally thank staff who looked after her during her cancer treatment.
Kate spoke to workers as well as other patients at the London hospital in an important moment in her “personal journey” four months after confirming she was cancer-free.
It is almost a year ago that the princess confirmed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy, following tests after abdominal surgery.
“The princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
It had not been previously disclosed that Kate was treated at the Marsden – a world-leading state-of-the art cancer centre known for its pioneering research.
During the solo visit, the princess was also said to want to show her support to those currently going through cancer treatment, and met patients receiving care at the hospital in central London on Tuesday.
The official engagement, Kate’s first of 2025, coincided with the announcement that the princess has become joint royal patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, joining the Prince of Wales in the role.
The patronage was once held by Diana, Princess of Wales.
The visit to the Marsden hospital comes two days before the first anniversary of Kate’s admittance to the London Clinic for major abdominal surgery on January 16 2024.
She spent nearly two weeks in hospital after the operation, and was recuperating at home when she was told she had cancer and had to begin chemotherapy.
In June, the princess, in a candid written message, revealed she was “making good progress” but had “good days and bad days”, was “not out of the woods yet” and was facing a few more months of treatment.
In September, the princess confirmed she had completed her treatment, but revealed that she, William and their children had faced an “incredibly tough” time.
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