Catherine, Princess of Wales, said on Tuesday that her Cancer he was in remissionlifting a large cloud from the British royal family, which has been battling serious health problems for her and King Charles III.
“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on my recovery,” wrote Catherine, Prince William’s wife. on Instagram.
“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis knows, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. However, I am looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead,” she added. “There’s a lot to look forward to.”
Catherine said last September that she did completed chemotherapy for her cancer and her goal was to remain cancer free. But Kensington Palace, where she and William have their offices, declined to say at the time whether her doctors had declared her cancer-free or whether she had undergone any other treatment.
The palace has never confirmed the type of cancer that struck Catherine, how far it has progressed, or what other treatment she underwent, other than chemotherapy. The cancer was discovered in January after she went to the hospital for 14 days abdominal surgery.
Still, Catherine’s announcement on Tuesday seemed more promising than last fall’s update, although Kensington Palace again offered no further medical details. A palace official warned that Catherine would still gradually return to official duties over the rest of the year.
Her announcement that she was in remission came as she visited the hospital, the Royal Marsden, in west London, where she was being treated. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank all those who quietly walked by William and I’s side as we managed everything,” Catherine announced.
During her visit to the hospital, Catherine thanked the staff and spoke with other cancer patients. She recalled her “really difficult” experience with chemotherapy, discovering that the drug was delivered via port, according to PA Media, the British news agency that accompanied the princess on her visit.
“I got so attached to it,” said Catherine, referring to the onion, device which can be implanted under the skin and left in place during chemotherapy. She joked that she hesitated when she was finally told, “You can take it out,” according to PA Media.
“It’s really hard,” Catherine said of chemotherapy. “It’s such a shock.”
A palace official said the purpose of Catherine’s visit to the Royal Marsden was not only to thank the staff for their care, but also to highlight the “world-leading care and treatment Marsden provides”.
Prince William is already a royal patron of the hospital which opened in 1851 and is the first hospital in the world dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, research and treatment of cancer. Catherine is now designated as joint patron, alongside her husband.
Charles announced in February that he too had been diagnosed with cancer. Buckingham Palace has revealed little about his treatment or the status of his illness, although he has returned to a busy schedule of official duties.
On Monday, the palace announced that Charles will travel to Poland later this month on the occasion of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp. Last year, the king traveled to Australia and Samoa, where he attended a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government.
Catherine took a more personal approach to her illness than her father-in-law, although she had an equally strict control over the level of disclosure. She announced the end of her chemotherapy in an emotional video featuring William and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” Catherine said in the video. “As well as humbling, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you’ve never considered before, and with it a new perspective on everything.”
