Princess Kate announces she is cancer free in emotional video

Watch the video or read the full transcript of Kate Middleton's cancer announcement

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Published Sep 09, 2024  •  3 minute read

Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, waits to present the trophy to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after he defeated Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, July 14, 2024. Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Catherine, Princess of Wales, said in a video shared Monday that she had finished chemotherapy and is seeking to “stay cancer free,” after nine months that “have been incredibly tough for us as a family.”

Kate, as she is widely known, said it was “a relief” to make such an announcement, but that “my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

She said she was “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”

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Britain’s princess has been largely out of the public eye since Christmas. In March, she disclosed that she had cancer, though she did not reveal what kind.

She made her first return to public duties in June for King Charles’s birthday parade. She also made an appearance at Wimbledon in July, where she presented the men’s final trophy and received a standing ovation.

The video, filmed last month in Norfolk, England, shows Catherine walking through woods and along the beach with her husband, Prince William, and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

The video shows other candid – albeit highly curated – shots of family life, including William and Kate lying next to each other outside and Catherine’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, playing cards at a table with their grandkids. At one point, George peers into the camera and asks: “Is this filming?”

“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” she says in the voice-over. “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”

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She said that she would be trying to “stay cancer free,” but added: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you.”

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said that King Charles III and Queen Camilla considered the “the details in today’s announcement to be wonderful news” and will continue to offer “love, thoughts and support to the princess on her continued path to full recovery.”

The king, Kate’s father-in-law, revealed his own cancer diagnosis earlier this year. He returned to a more-limited-than-usual schedule of public engagements in April.

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Read the full transcript of Kate Middleton’s cancer announcement:

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.

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“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.

“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.

“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.

“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.

“I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.

“Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.

“William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling.

“To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey — I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”

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