Princess Kate has opened up on her cancer treatment. (Image: Getty)
The has shared her experience of her “really tough” chemotherapy, which she revealed was delivered via a “port” to which she became rather attached.
Today, January 14, Kate visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, West London, to thank staff for her care and offer support to fellow patients as it was disclosed she was treated at the state-of-the-art institution.
Following her visit, Kate has taken to X to issue a statement – taking the opportunity to, once again, thank staff at The Royal Marsden.
Her tweet, published at 4.33pm today, read: “I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year.
“My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional.”
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Speaking of her new role as joint patron for The Royal Marsden alongside her husband , Kate added: “In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is, that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer.”
As well as thanking the staff and dicussing her new role, Kate also took the time to announce the end of her treatment in written form in the tweet. She wrote: “It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. 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. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. C.”
During today’s visit, Kate spoke to Katherine Field, 45, who was wearing a cold cap during her chemotherapy to preserve her hair. As the pair spoke, Kate gestured to her own arm and chest to discuss the port mechanism used to deliver the drugs.
Princess Kate pictured during today’s visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital (Image: Getty)
Kate told Katherine: “I got so attached to it”, before joking that she had been hesitant when she was finally told “you can have it taken out” now.
An implanted port – also known as a portacath – is a small device inserted under the skin which is kept in place until treatment finishes. It attaches to a long thin tube which goes into a vein close to the heart or sometimes in the arm.
Kate is not thought to have used a cold cap to preserve her hair. This can be worn during some chemotherapy treatments and its cooling effect reduces blood flow to the scalp, which reduces the amount of chemotherapy medication reaching the area and helps to prevent hair loss.
Speaking in person about her cancer treatment journey, Kate said: “It’s really tough. It’s such a shock. Everyone said to me please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference.”
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Princess Kate took time to speak to some of the patients at the hospital (Image: Getty)
In a written message released in June, Kate said that she had “good days and bad days”, was “not out of the woods yet” and was facing a few more months of the drug treatment.
At the time, she said: “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”
In September, the 43-year-old confirmed she had finished her chemotherapy and told of her joy.