It is exactly one year ago that the Princess of Wales announced she had been diagnosed with cancer, and charities have told of the ‘Kate effect’ of more people seeking information about the disease

Princess Kate announces she is being treated for cancer

The Princess of Wales has been hailed for her “deep empathy” and dedication to changing the lives of those living with cancer, a year on from revealing her own devastating diagnosis. Twelve months later Kate has emerged from having her life as a mother of three and future queen turned upside down, to dedicating her life to helping others facing a similar fate.

The princess in January marked her return to royal duties by announcing she was finally in remission and would take on a new role with the hospital that treated her throughout her ordeal. In her role as joint patron of The Royal Marsden, shared with her husband Prince William Kate spoke of her hope to “save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer”.

It is exactly a year since Kate announced her cancer diagnosis

Speaking to The Mirror, Dame Cally Palmer, chief executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, heralded the princess’ new role which would help “shine a light” on the vital work done by the hospital.

She said: “The Princess’ support for the hospital stems from a deep empathy for those facing similar challenges, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer. We are honoured that The Princess of Wales, having been through her own cancer journey, has joined The Prince of Wales in becoming Joint Patrons of The Royal Marsden.

“Both the Prince and the Princess take a very personal interest in our work and the joint patronage allows us to shine a light on the importance of early cancer diagnosis, research, treatment and care, and the outstanding work our staff deliver every day for patients and their families.”

The future queen shocked the world when, a year ago on Saturday, national news bulletins were interrupted at 6 o’clock with a special broadcast of the princess sitting on a wooden bench against a daffodil laden spring backdrop. Over the next two minutes and 15 seconds, at the age of just 42, the princess delivered the news that following abdominal surgery doctors had “found cancer had been present”.

Kate on a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital earlier this year (Image: Getty Images)

Just days before, the royal family had been rocked when Buckingham Palace announced the King had also been diagnosed with the disease following prostate surgery. In her emotional video statement, Kate said it was a “huge shock” after an “incredibly tough couple of months”, but she sent a positive message, saying: “I am well and getting stronger every day.”

In the weeks leading up to what palace aides described as “the most intimate royal message in history”, the princess has been the target of wicked trolls questioning her whereabouts after her two week hospital stay. Vicious smears, ranging from cruel insults of fake cosmetic surgery to a dereliction of her duties, filled social media as the Prince and Princess of Wales privately considered how they would break the news of Kate’s condition to their three young children.

Three days before her statement, The Mirror exclusively revealed how three members of staff at The London Clinic, where both the princess and King were treated at the same time last January, had been suspended pending a criminal probe for allegedly accessing her private medical records. The shocking breach underlined the hysteria fuelled by so called social media sleuths debating Kate’s absence from royal life.

Tellingly, even in her darkest hour, the princess chose to extend her support to others suffering similar fates, saying she was thinking of all those who have been affected by cancer, adding: “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

In a video last September, Kate revealed the end of her chemotherapy treatment (Image: PA)

As she began a course of preventative chemotherapy that would go on to last six months, sources close to the princess described her steadfast attitude as “nothing short of remarkable”. As Kate took time away from the spotlight to focus fully on her recovery, Prince William gave occasional updates on his wife’s condition, remarking a month after returning to duties himself in May that she was “doing well, thanks”. William would go on to tell the British media with him in Cape Town covering his Earthshot Prize environmental awards in November how the experience of witnessing both his wife and father’s cancer journeys was the most “brutal” year of his life.

In June, Kate made a brief return to the royal fold to attend the King’s official birthday celebrations in London and released an updated statement sharing that she was “not out of the woods”. Thanking the public for their support, she admitted there were “good days and bad days” and that she still had “a few more months” of chemotherapy left to go.

A month later she received a standing ovation when she entered the Royal Box at the Wimbledon tennis championships with daughter Princess Charlotte, sparking hope that her health was improving. In September came the announcement she and millions of royal fans around the world had hoped for when she announced she had completed her chemo, saying her focus would transition to “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.

A month later the princess joined her husband for her first official engagement, meeting with emergency responders and parents of victims of a July knife attack in Southport. A series of private engagements and meetings followed with aides until Christmas where she celebrated with her family by attending her annual charity carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

Kate has had full support from husband Prince William (Image: PA)

At the turn of the year, Kate announced she was finally in remission and would take on her new role at the Marsden with a visit to the cancer unit where she was treated in secret for months, remarking how it was a different experience “coming through the front entrance”.

Another source remarked: “Even in her darkest hour, the princess’ thoughts have been directed at others. There is no doubt her decision to speak about her experience and ongoing support will make a difference to those most in need.”

Indeed, visits to Macmillan Cancer Support’s online information and support pages were at the highest weekend levels since the first Covid lockdown following the Princess of Wales’s cancer message in March 2024.

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support said: “By sharing her story, Her Royal Highness will have given hope and courage to other people affected by cancer. Through her honesty, the Princess of Wales has helped to raise awareness of cancer and encouraged people to come forward and get vital support, at a time when we know that many need it more than ever. We are incredibly thankful to the Princess for her openness when it comes to sharing her cancer experience.”