
In July 2025, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, visited Colchester Hospital, marking her first public appearance since missing Royal Ascot. During her visit, she opened up about her cancer journey, describing the phase after treatment as really, really difficult. Kate also acknowledged that finding a “new normal takes time and that healing is not always linear. She has since resumed royal duties but is reportedly taking a cautious approach and listening to her body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancer diagnosis | March 2024 |
| Age | 42-43 years old |
| Cancer treatment | Chemotherapy, surgery |
| Current health status | In remission, cancer-free |
| Public appearances during treatment | Wimbledon, Trooping the Colour parade, 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service |
| Public appearances after treatment | Colchester Hospital, Crathie Kirk church in Scotland |
| Challenges after treatment | Adjusting to normal life, not being able to function normally |
| Support during recovery | Husband Prince William, Queen Elizabeth's former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson |
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What You'll Learn

Kate Middleton speaks out about her cancer recovery
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has been open about her cancer recovery, describing it as a "difficult" phase. In July 2025, she visited Colchester Hospital and shared her experiences, acknowledging the challenges of adjusting to normal life after cancer treatment.
Princess Kate's cancer journey began in March 2024 when she publicly revealed her diagnosis. She underwent chemotherapy and made her first public appearance at Trooping the Colour in June of that year. By September, she had completed her cancer treatment and shared the good news of being "cancer-free."
During her hospital visit in July 2025, Kate spoke about the struggles of transitioning back to everyday life. She mentioned the importance of finding a new normal and acknowledged that it takes time and is a roller coaster ride. She emphasized the value of support and unconditional love during this challenging period.
The Princess also shared insights into her experience during treatment, describing how one tends to put on a "brave face" and display "stoicism." However, she highlighted that the phase after treatment can be especially difficult, as individuals are no longer under the constant care of a clinical team but may still struggle to function normally at home.
Kate's recovery has been described as ""not plain sailing," indicating that despite her graceful public appearances, managing her health and pace has been a careful and gradual process. She has gradually resumed royal duties, attending events like the Commonwealth Day service and the Garter Day service, but at a slower pace than before her diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales's openness about her cancer recovery has shed light on the challenges faced by cancer patients and survivors. Her honesty has likely resonated with many, offering a sense of understanding and encouragement to those facing similar struggles.
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Kate Middleton visits Colchester Hospital
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, made a visit to Colchester Hospital on 2 July 2025. This marked her first public appearance since missing Royal Ascot on 18 June 2025. During her visit, she helped plant several "Catherine's Rose" plants, a newly launched bloom named in her honour by the Royal Horticultural Society. The pink roses were donated as part of an initiative to bring healing green spaces to those in need.
The Princess of Wales also spoke about her own cancer journey and the “really difficult" phase after her cancer treatment. She emphasised that patients often feel pressured to "crack on and get back to normal" after treatment, but that the reality is often very different. She shared that finding a “new normal" takes time and is a "roller coaster". Kate also revealed that she had tried acupuncture as part of her recovery process.
The visit to Colchester Hospital's RHS Wellbeing Garden was an opportunity for Kate Middleton to celebrate the healing power of nature and raise awareness of its importance in supporting mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The garden, which opened in July 2024, is a partnership between the RHS, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and NHS Charities Together, the latter of which is a joint patronage of Kate and her husband, Prince William.
During her engagement, Kate Middleton met with award-winning garden designer Adam Frost and spoke with patients and staff at the hospital's Cancer Wellbeing Centre. She also disclosed that receiving a cancer diagnosis for the first time is a "very scary journey" and highlighted the benefits of having an on-site hospital support network. The Princess of Wales appeared in positive spirits and was described as looking “stunning" in a beige pinstriped blazer, a matching shirt, tailored brown trousers, and white trainers.
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Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. This came after a two-month recovery period following abdominal surgery in January 2024. During this time, her husband, Prince William, postponed his public appearances to support her. The Princess underwent chemotherapy and shared in a January 2025 update that she was cancer-free.
In June 2024, Kate made a public appearance at the Trooping the Colour parade to honour King Charles III's official birthday. She also attended the men's singles final at Wimbledon with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and sister, Pippa Middleton Matthews. In December 2024, Kate joined her family at the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey.
Kate returned to royal duties in 2025 but missed the Royal Ascot in June. On July 2, 2025, she visited Colchester Hospital, where she spoke about the challenges of cancer recovery and the transition back to everyday life. She emphasised the importance of support during this phase and finding a ""new normal." Kate described her experience as "life-changing" and acknowledged that healing takes time. She also visited the RHS Wellbeing Garden at the hospital and planted "Catherine's Rose" plants, named in her honour.
In a mid-May 2025 appearance, William provided a vague update on Kate's health, stating that she was "doing well." While Kate has not resumed all her royal duties, she remains engaged with initiatives, such as the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood.
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Kate Middleton's surgery and absence from public duties
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, underwent abdominal surgery in January 2024 and was discharged from London Clinic, a private hospital, 13 days later. During this time, her husband, Prince William, postponed his public appearances to be by her side. The surgery was followed by a two-month recovery period, during which the royal couple aimed to process and manage her health privately.
In March 2024, Kate Middleton publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis. She received treatment and care at the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. By September of the same year, she had completed her chemotherapy, and in a January 2025 update, she shared the uplifting news that she was cancer-free and in remission.
Despite making good progress, Kate acknowledged that healing and adjusting to normal life after treatment take time. In June 2025, she shared that she still had "a few more months" of chemotherapy left. During this period, she remained engaged with initiatives that were important to her, such as the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood.
Kate Middleton returned to royal duties in 2025, but she approached this transition gradually and on her own terms. She missed the Royal Ascot in June, opting to ease back into public life and listen to her body. On July 2, 2025, she made her first public appearance since her absence, visiting Colchester Hospital and planting roses in a hospital garden. She also met with cancer patients and staff, opening up about the challenges of her cancer journey and the importance of support during recovery.
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Kate Middleton speaks about the emotional aftermath of her cancer treatment
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has been open about the challenges she has faced following her cancer treatment. In July 2025, while visiting hospital patients, she shared her thoughts on the emotional aftermath of cancer treatment, describing it as a roller coaster.
During her visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex, Middleton planted "Catherine's Rose" plants, a newly launched bloom named in her honour by the Royal Horticultural Society. The pink roses were donated as part of an initiative to bring healing green spaces to those in need, with proceeds benefiting the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where Middleton received treatment.
Middleton, who first revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, spoke about the difficulties of adjusting to normal life after treatment. She said, "You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment's done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal again,' but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult." She emphasised the importance of having support during this phase of recovery, acknowledging that healing takes time and finding a new normal is challenging.
The Princess of Wales also shared her thoughts on the emotional aftermath of cancer treatment in a May 2025 interview, where she stated that it was a challenging time for her and her family. She emphasised the importance of unconditional love and support during this difficult period.
Middleton has gradually returned to public life and royal duties, making appearances at events such as Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon. However, she has also had to withdraw from some events, such as Royal Ascot, as she continues to focus on her recovery and ease back into public life. Overall, Middleton's candour about the emotional aftermath of her cancer treatment has provided valuable insight and support to those facing similar challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
Kate Middleton visited Colchester Hospital on July 2, 2025, where she spoke about her cancer journey and the difficulties of transitioning back to everyday life. She described this chapter of her life as "really, really difficult".
Kate Middleton spoke about the challenges of adjusting to normal life after treatment. She emphasised the importance of having support during the recovery phase. She also acknowledged that healing doesn't happen overnight and finding a "new normal" takes time.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. She underwent ""planned abdominal surgery"" in mid-January and was discharged from the London Clinic after 13 days.
Kate Middleton made her first public appearance after her diagnosis at the 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024. She also attended the Trooping the Colour parade in June 2024 and presented the championship trophies at Wimbledon.
Kate Middleton has been focusing on her recovery and easing back into official duties. She has been working with her husband, Prince William, to assemble a trusted advisory team as they prepare for their future roles as king and queen.















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