Princess Catherine surprised royal fans this week as she stepped out for her first engagement of 2026. The Princess of Wales, 44, decided to join her husband Prince William on a visit to Charing Cross Hospital on Thursday to thank NHS staff for the work that they do.
The couple were all smiles as they stepped out together at the hospital, speaking to staff, patients, visitors and volunteers. The future King and Queen also spent plenty of time looking around some of the hospital facilities, including the neuro-rehabilitation centre where patients can access gym equipment, alongside arts and crafts activities.
It was during the tour of such facilities that Catherine spoke about two things that helped her during her own cancer recovery journey.
She could be heard saying: “Creativity and nature played such a huge part in my recovery journey.”
The princess was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and had preventative chemotherapy.
This saw her temporarily step back from royal engagements and duty as she focused on her treatment and recovery.
The future Queen then revealed in January 2025 that her cancer was in remission, much to the delight of royal fans. The princess has never disclosed what type of cancer she was treated for.
Catherine’s admission about what helped her during her cancer journey on Thursday was not the only time the princess made a comment about her own experiences.
She also commented briefly on her experience having chemotherapy in a conversation with a volunteer for NHS Charities Together. The volunteer, in a comment about patients and visitors, told William and Catherine how patients and visitors sit there“for hours” when receiving treatment.
This prompted a sympathetic response from Catherine, who said: “I know.”
She then touched William’s shoulder and said: “You know.”
While the princess has kept details of her cancer journey private, she has also been open about speaking about her experiences both during treatment and after. The princess has frequently spoken about how important nature has been for her, as well as the support of loved ones.
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