The Princess of Wales shared stories of her own cancer journey as she chatted to cancer patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital today – and while talking to one woman, she opened up about one procedure she had to undergo as part of her treatment
Kate Middleton visits staff and patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital
The Princess of Wales revealed in detail her feelings about a procedure she had to endure as part of her cancer treatment.
Kate, 43, carried out her first solo engagement in over a year today as she paid a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London – the place where she received her chemotherapy treatment following her cancer diagnosis last year.
The visit was arranged as Kate wanted the opportunity to personally thank the staff for their exceptional care, support and compassion over the past year – and while there, she also met four cancer patients and shared stories with them.
One of them was Katherine Field, 45, who chatted to the princess while wearing a cold cap, which helps to preserve hair while having chemotherapy. And during the chat, Kate gestured to her own arm and chest to discuss the ‘port’ mechanism to deliver the medicine.
A port is usually fitted to patients and embedded under the skin in order to directly deliver medication and fluids directly into the bloodstream. And Kate talked about she had a port during her treatment saying: “I got so attached to it.” She also joked that she had hesitated when finally told “you can have it taken out” now. She is not thought to have used a cold cap herself.
Meanwhile, she empathised with one patient who was having chemotherapy saying: “It’s really tough. It’s such a shock.” “Everyone said to me please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference,” she said, adding that “When I came in everyone said make sure you have all your warm things [clothes] on” because of the side effects. The princess asked patients details about their treatment, trials, and well-being, and asked after their families.
“Oh my goodness,” she exclaimed on occasion, hearing difficult accounts of long treatment, and shook her head sympathetically. Of the importance of looking after oneself during and after treatment, she said: “I really felt like I needed to get the sun. You need loads of water and loads of sunlight.”
When one woman’s machinery started beeping during their conversation, signalling treatment was needed, she said: “I recognise that beep!” Hearing about one man’s diagnosis, the Princess said: “The body is amazing at telling us ‘you need to take time out’.”
Ruth Bosworth, whose husband Richard was having treatment, told the Princess she had “managed the children [George, Charlotte and Louis] so well”, making her smile warmly. A number of the patients opened the conversation by asking how the Princess was feeling. She replied that she was doing well, but recalled the cycle of treatment saying “sometimes you feel relatively well, and then you have another one.”
She added: “Sometimes from the outside, we all think you’ve finished treatment and you go back to things. But it’s hard to get back to normal.” She told numerous patients that it was so important to keep “doing the things that give you joy”. “It makes you appreciate all the small things in life that you take for granted,” she said of a cancer diagnosis.
As she left the hospital, the Princess made a mini impromptu walkabout among patients and their supporters who had gathered in the corridor to see her.
Asking about their treatment, she leaned in for a tight hug with Rebecca Mendelsohn, 57, who is on a trial for secondary cancer – breast and liver – and Tina Adumou, whose 19-year-old daughter is currently in ICU and broke down into tears when she told the princess about it.
Putting an arm around her, Kate asked questions and reassured her that she was in the best possible place. “I wish I could do more,” she said, with feeling. “It will get better. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Best of luck,” she said as she left. “You are in the best hands.”
The poignant visit today also coincided with Kate joining her husband Prince William as joint Royal Patron of the Royal Marsden, a role once previously held by the late Princess Diana. The Royal Marsden is a research-active cancer centre and plays an important role in helping advance cancer treatment for others in the UK and around the world.
In her role as joint Royal Patron, Kensington Palace said Kate is looking forward to supporting The Marsden’s work in advancing cancer research, treatment, and care as well as learning more about how it can benefit patients in the future.
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