Princess Kate has today announced that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment and will be returning to ‘light duties’ her emotional cancer announcement at the end of March.
But her road to recovery has been a long and confusing one, especially for royal fans who have kept up with her journey.
From her emotional cancer announcement in that unprecedented video address to today’s statement, breaks down the timeline of Kate’s road to recovery.
January
The world began to worry in mid-January when the Princess of Wales hadn’t been seen since she attended the royal family’s Christmas Day church service in Sandringham with her children.
Kate was admitted to the London Clinic for planned abdominal surgery on January 16th, although this news is not announced by Kensington Palace until the following day, with Royal aides saying she was expected to remain in hospital for ten to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery.
On the same day, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles would be treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate and just a few days later Prince Andrew’s former wife Sarah, Duchess of York revealed she had been diagnosed with skin cancer, six months after being treated for breast cancer.
On January 29, Princess Kate and King Charles are both discharged from London Clinic. The King was seen waving at well-wishers as he left with Camilla but Kate was no where to be seen despite Kensington Palace saying she had returned home to Windsor.
A week later, Buckingham Palace announced to the world that King Charles has cancer but there was still no sign of Kate or any updates.
February
Worry for Kate grew even stronger when Prince William pulled out of a memorial service at the end of February for the late King Constantine of Greece in Windsor due to a ‘personal matter’.
March
On March 4, Kate was pictured in Windsor in the passenger seat of a car with a pair of sunglasses on as her mother, Carole Middleton, drove.
Six days later, Kensington Palace released a photograph of Kate and her children to mark Mother’s Day but irregularities are spotted in the Mother’s Day photograph, which leads to the Princess admitting to ‘editing’ the image and apologising for any ‘confusion’ caused.
The next day she was pictured in a car leaving Windsor with William but her face was turned away from the camera.
On March 18, a video was published by TMZ and The Sun of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop following a visit on March 16.
It wasn’t until March 22 that the Princess revealed her cancer diagnosis in a video message that took over news channels across the world.
Kensington Palace said that Kate had started a course of ‘preventative chemotherapy’ in ‘late February’, but they did not confirm the exact date. It is also understood that post-operative tests found that cancer had been present, although again there is no exact date on these.
June
The Princess first public appearance after her cancer announcement didn’t come until June 15 when she joined the Royal Family to celebrate the King’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour.
Kate beamed and waved as she and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, were cheered by crowds in The Mall after leaving Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
July
A month later, on July 13, she made another appearance at Wimbledon in the Royal Box to the delight of fans. Joined by daughter Princess Charlotte, nine, and her sister Pippa Middleton the future queen was greeted with applause making her second public appearance of the year.
August
The most recent sighting of the Princess of Wales was on August 25 when she attended Sunday service at Crathie Kirk with William, King Charles and Queen Camillia and other royals.
Also in August, the Princess of Wales released a heartfelt message to the British Olympians ahead of the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In the video, the Princess of Wales stood by the side of Prince William. She said: ‘From all of us watching at home congratulations to Team GB.’
The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB top, then briefly added: ‘Well done to Team GB you’ve been an inspiration to us all.’
In an accompanying social media post on their account, the royal couple said: ‘Well done @teamgb, what an incredible journey!
‘Every athlete showed immense dedication, heart and passion. You made us all so proud! Here’s to celebrating every triumph @paris2024 and looking forward to more from @paralympicsgb_official later in the summer’.
The viral video also featured former Olympian Rebecca Adlington and former England Captain David Beckham.
September
Today’s announcement says that she will be returning to ‘light duties’ after completing her chemotherapy treatment, so royal fans can expect to see a little bit more of the Princess they have been worrying about since Christmas.
Kensington Palace said Princess Kate is looking forward to undertaking a handful of public engagements over the coming months and has started to work from home, on projects including her work on early childhood, and will continue to do so.
‘As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.
‘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.
‘I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.
‘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. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright’