Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024.Photo:Will Warr
Will Warr
Kate Middletonhas finished her chemotherapy treatment and is sharing personal details about her journey since beingdiagnosed with cancerearlier this year.
On Monday, Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales released an emotional video message filmed near her family’s home in Norfolk last month. It also features her husband,Prince William, and their three children,Prince George, 11,Princess Charlotte, 9, andPrince Louis, 6.
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Kate says in the video. “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.
“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,” she says.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024.Will Warr
“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 continues.
“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.”
PEOPLE understands that the Princess of Wales is looking forward to undertaking a handful of public engagements over the coming months, however, as she says in her video message, her focus is on being cancer-free and her journey to full recovery is long.
She will be returning to a light program of external engagements for the remainder of the year, reflecting the need to focus on making a full recovery.
Kate has started to work from home, on projects including her work on early childhood, and will continue to do so over the coming months. She is likely to attend Remembrance Day in November alongside the royal family and has begun plans for her annual carol concert in December at Westminster Abbey.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson says King Charles (who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer) and Queen Camilla “consider the details in today’s announcement to be wonderful news and will continue to offer all love, thoughts and support to The Princess on her continued path to full recovery.”
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024.Will Warr
The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from public life throughout the entirety of 2024. After undergoing a planned abdominal surgery in January, Kate announced in a moving video message on March 22 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving chemotherapy. She has only been seen in an official capacity twice this year — on June 15 at Trooping the Colour and on July 14 at Wimbledon, alongside her daughterPrincess Charlotteand her sisterPippa Middleton.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales and Prince William appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024.Will Warr
“It’s good not to feel under pressure and just take her time and have slow days if she needs to,” a source told PEOPLE over the summer.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, Prince William and Princess Charlotte appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024.Will Warr
Prince William, 42, returned to public duty Sept. 5 after a summer spent with Kate, also 42, and their childrenPrince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, andPrince Louis, 6. The three kids returned to school the same week as their father returned to work following a summer spent primarily at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, as well as time at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Kate was photographed driving to church at Crathie Kirk on Aug. 25.
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He added, “She will be back, but when you have had an experience like this, it changes your perspective and the order of things.”
source: people.com