LONDON (AP) – The Princess of Wales announced Tuesday that her cancer is in remission after spending a day supporting other cancer patients at the hospital where she was treated.
In a statement on social media, she thanked everyone who helped her and her husband, Prince William, get through the ups and downs of treatment and recovery. Earlier, the princess, usually known simply as Kate, hugged a patient at London's Royal Marsden Hospital and described her treatment as “exceptional”.
“I feel relieved that I am now in remission and remain focused on my recovery,” the 43-year-old princess wrote in a note signed by her initial C. To adapt to the new normal. ”
Remission is good news, but it doesn't necessarily mean the cancer is cured. That could mean that the treatment has knocked out all measurable cancer. This is called complete remission. Or it could mean that at least half of the cancer has been removed by treatment. It's called partial remission.
The American Cancer Society states that reduction in tumor size must continue for at least one month to be considered in remission.
Tuesday's announcement was the first official update on Kate's condition since September, when she said she had completed chemotherapy. The princess has not yet revealed what type of cancer she has been treated for.
During her solo stint at the Royal Marsden, one of the world's leading cancer centers known for its pioneering research, Kate thanked her medical team for their support and shared her work with other patients undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We talked.
The princess hugged Tina Adumou and she wept as she told the Duchess that her 19-year-old daughter was in intensive care. Kate put her arms around him to express sympathy and tell Adumou her daughter was in the best possible condition.
“I'm sorry, I wish I could have helped you more,” Kate said. “We wanted to come to show the great work that’s being done here and the support we have for people who are going through so much treatment.”
But then she gave me some encouragement.
“There is light at the end of that tunnel,” she said. “It's so nice to meet you, good luck. You're being treated the best.”
The princess also spoke to Catherine Field, 45, about her experience. Gesturing to his arms and chest, he discussed how the ports through which drugs flow worked.
“I was very attached to it,” Kate said, joking that she was almost reluctant to have it removed after being told she didn't need it anymore.
The Princess' office at Kensington Palace stressed that although her cancer is in remission, she will continue to gradually return to public life. The palace explained that the visit reflected her “personal cancer journey”.
Tuesday's announcement was a welcome sign of good news for the royal family, which has been plagued by health concerns over the last year. The medical journey began in January last year, when royal officials announced that King Charles III would undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate and Duchess Kate would undergo abdominal surgery.
In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Charles was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. Six weeks later, Duchess Kate said she was also undergoing treatment for cancer, calming persistent speculation about her condition that had spread on social media since her surgery.
The burden on the royal family was severe. With two of the most high-profile royals hospitalized with illnesses and Prince William also taking time off to support his wife, other members of the Windsor family are forced into the endless public appearances that the British public demands. had to deal with the appearance of
But Charles, 76, and Kate were slowly returning to duty after receiving treatment.
The princess announced in September that she had finished chemotherapy and appeared in a video with her husband and children, expressing “relief” at the turn of events.
“As you know, life can change in an instant and we had to find a way to navigate stormy seas and unknown paths,” she said in a video shot in the woods near her family's vacation home. said. in norfolk.
Kate took a break from most official duties during her treatment, but made several appearances last year, including at the King's Birthday Parade in June, known as Trooping the Color, and then at the Wimbledon men's final in July. fulfilled. , where she received a standing ovation.
Kate said: “To all those who continue to fight cancer, I will continue to stand by them, hand in hand.''
The hospital visit took place just days before the one-year anniversary of Kate's admission to the London Clinic for major abdominal surgery on January 16, 2024. Kate spent two weeks recuperating in hospital, then at home when she was told she would need surgery. Start chemotherapy.
William described 2024 as “brutal” and perhaps the “hardest year” of his life.
