UK
Kate, Princess of Wales, says she’s ‘not out of the woods’ in health update – as royal releases new picture
The Princess of Wales has said she is “not out of the woods yet” and has “a few more months” of cancer treatment to go, as she gave an update on her health.
Kate also said she would attend a public engagement tomorrow.
She has been undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, since being diagnosed with an unspecified type of the disease earlier this year.
In a statement released today, she said she is “making good progress” but has “good days and bad days”.
The statement is accompanied by a new photograph of Kate.
“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting,” she said. “On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”
Kate confirmed she will attend the King’s birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, with her family in London tomorrow.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King is “delighted the princess is able to attend” and “much looking forward to all elements of the day”.
It is understood Kate’s attendance at the event is not to be taken as a return to full public duties.
“[I] hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” Kate continued in her statement.
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Princess of Wales’s statement in full
Kate was photographed surrounded by nature in the grounds at Windsor. Pic: Matt Porteous.
“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Kate’s update would be “especially meaningful to those who are fighting cancer and for their families”.
“They will recognise the same struggle in her words and draw hope and inspiration from her strength,” he added, saying the “whole country is behind her”.
This will be the princess’s first public engagement since December 2023 when she joined the rest of the Royal Family at the annual Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
Kate with Prince George and Prince Louis on Christmas Day 2023. Pic. AP
She was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on 16 January and the operation was made public the following day, when Kensington Palace said she was recovering.
The palace kept details of Kate’s health private in the months that followed.
A picture of Kate with her three children was released to mark Mother’s Day on 10 March – but the snap sparked a photo editing controversy which fuelled online speculation about the princess’s health.
Kate shared her cancer diagnosis with the public on 22 March.
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March: Kate reveals she’s having cancer treatment
At the time, in a pre-recorded video message, she said her planned abdominal surgery in January was successful and while it was initially thought her condition was non-cancerous, tests found cancer had been present.
She then began receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, which started in February, and was recovering in private.
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The Prince of Wales has attended engagements solo since April and given a handful of updates on Kate while meeting with the public.
In May, he said Kate was “doing well” and earlier this month, he told a D-Day veteran she would have “loved” to attend the 80th anniversary commemorations in France.