In March of this year, Kensington Palace announced that Kate Middleton is receiving treatment for cancer, and today, they shared she has finished her chemotherapy treatment.
"As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment," Kate said in a personal message shared with a video of her and her family in Norfolk. "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. 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."
She will carry out a handful of engagements this fall, including attending Remembrance Sunday and hosting her annual Christmas Carol service. The Princess made her first public appearance of 2024 at Trooping the Colour. Since, she's made two more public appearances: at the Wimbledon men's finals, and attending church at Balmoral in August.
Here, everything we know so far about Kate's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Jump to:
- What do we know about Kate's cancer diagnosis?
- Why aren't they sharing what type of cancer Kate has?
- Why did it take so long for the Palace to announce that Kate has cancer?
- What treatment did she receive?
- Why didn't the Palace initially say Kate had cancer in January?
- What has Kate said about her cancer diagnosis?
- Has Kate told her children? What do they know?
- What has the royal family said?
- What have the Middletons said?
- What does the photoshop drama have to do with the Kate news?
- When will Kate return to royal duties?
What do we know about Kate's cancer diagnosis?
Kate had abdominal surgery in January, and at the time, her condition was thought to be non-cancerous. The surgery was successful, then post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer had been present. It's unclear if the cancer was related to the abdominal surgery.
Here's a full timeline of Kate's health news:
Why aren't they sharing what type of cancer Kate has?
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said in a statement, "We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do." This is in line with King Charles, who also has cancer and will not be sharing what type.
Why did it take so long for the Palace to announce that Kate has cancer?
William and Kate wanted to share the news when they "felt it was right for them as a family." Kate, it is understood, wanted the time and space to come to terms with her diagnosis, as she recovered from her abdominal surgery and began cancer treatment. Specifically the timing of the March 22 announcement was due to George, Charlotte, and Louis's Easter break. The Waleses wanted their children to be in private as the news broke to the world.
There was immense speculation surrounding the Princess of Wales's health in March, but the Palace reiterated that "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess' recovery and we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands."
What treatment did she receive?
According to the Palace, "the Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy." (It's likely this is referring to what's more commonly known as adjuvant cancer therapy.)
She began her treatment in late February, and it ended at an unspecified time. In her video recorded in March, Kate said she is in the "early stages" of her treatment, and in June, she revealed "my treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months." In September, Kate said, "as the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment."
The Palace denied rumors she was receiving cancer treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Why didn't the Palace initially say Kate had cancer in January?
In January, the Princess underwent "planned abdominal surgery" at the London clinic. "The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery," the Palace said, emphasizing Kate's condition was non-cancerous. T&C understands that at the time of Kate's surgery, her condition was, indeed, thought to be non-cancerous. On March 22, the Palace shared that Kate learned she had cancer once "post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed."
What has Kate said about her cancer diagnosis?
The Palace released a video of the Princess in Windsor speaking out about her cancer diagnosis. It was filmed by BBC Studios on March 20. "It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful," Kate says near the start, as she sits in a bench outdoors.
You can watch the entire message below, and read a full transcript, here.
A day after the video message was shared, Prince William and Kate were "enormously touched" by the well wishes from around the world. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said, "The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness' message. They are extremely moved by the public's warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time."
In June, the Princess shared another update in a letter, writing, "I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well."
In September, Kensington Palace shared another video with the news that Kate is cancer free (watch above).
"Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus," Kate said. "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."
Has Kate told her children? What do they know?
Yes, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, have been told about their mom's cancer diagnosis. "It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be okay," Kate said in her initial video message. "As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits."
What has the royal family said?
King Charles and Queen Camilla have released a statement about Kate's cancer diagnosis. King Charles, who is also currently fighting cancer, said he is "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did."A Buckingham Palace spokesperson added that both King Charles and Queen Camilla "will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family throughout this difficult time."
Additionally, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a statement: "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."
What have the Middletons said?
While the Middleton family is pretty private, Kate's brother, James Middleton, posted on Instagram a childhood photo of the two of them, writing, "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too," with a mountain emoji and red heart emoji.
In the September 2024 video, her parents Carole and Michael were pictured in Norfolk with the Wales family playing cards.
What does the photoshop drama have to do with the Kate news?
Nothing, honestly. The drama surrounding Kate reached a fever pitch in March, after a photo released for UK Mother's Day (and Kate's subsequent apology over editing it) did not do much to quell conspiracy theories around the Princess and her health.
When will Kate return to royal duties?
When Kate's abdominal surgery was initially announced, the Palace said "she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter," but now with news of her cancer diagnosis, that timeline completely shifted, and they are not putting a specific date on her return. In May 2024, a senior aide said "she will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors."
When her diagnosis was first announced, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said, "The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery." In her message, Kate said, "My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."
When Kate attended Trooping the Colour 2024, Kensington Palace made it clear that her attendance does not signify a return to work. However, Kate shared she has begun to work from home.
After Kate announced she was cancer free, she said her focus remains on staying healthy, but "I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can." She is confirmed for just two events the rest of this year: Remembrance Sunday in November, and her Christmas Carol service in December.
We'll update this as we continue to learn more about Kate's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
