The Princess of Wales has once again swapped out her engagement ring for her stunning eternity band in a touching new video shared yesterday.
Kate, 42, joined her family in a deeply personal clip, filmed in Norfolk last month, to confirm she will return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy course.
Her heartfelt message about her cancer journey is spoken over images showing the Waleses and their children enjoying the outdoors, walking through woods and the couple shown cuddling as they hold hands.
During one emotional moment, as the Princess is heard saying: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand’, the royal is seen walking through a field.
She holds out one of her hands to run her fingers through the tall grass, and showcases her wedding ring and her new ‘eternity band’, which she appeared to swap out for her engagement ring, that once belonged to her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.
After spotting the change in the royal’s chosen jewels, royal fans suggested the ring (which Kate also wore in her last appearance) is likely a gift from Prince William – and could be the sign of a ‘fresh start’ now her chemotherapy has ended.
The Princess of Wales has once again swapped out her engagement ring for her stunning eternity band in a touching new video shared yesterday
During one emotional moment, as the Princess is heard saying: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand’, the royal is seen walking through a field
Royal fans speculated over the meaning of Kate’s eternity ring, which she now wears alongside her wedding band instead of her engagement ring which belonged to Princess Diana
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It isn’t the first time Kate has showcased the jewellery – she wore the ring in a star-studded congratulatory message to Team GB following their success at the Paris Olympics.
Appearing alongside the Prince of Wales, the Princess was seen with a new band on her wedding ring finger, leading royal fans to speculate it is an eternity ring.
The thick gold ring appeared to be set with diamonds and sapphires, which would match the royal’s engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana.
In her heartfelt message yesterday, Kate describes the past nine months since her serious health issues began as ‘incredibly tough for us as a family’ and how the ‘cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone’, with the experience giving her a ‘new perspective on everything’.
In the video, she says: ‘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.’
After seeing the clip, and a shot which focused in closely on her hand while she wears the eternity ring, royal fans suggested it was the Princess’s way of sending a message to fans and other cancer sufferers.
Taking to X/Twitter, fans speculated that the ring was ‘definitely’ a gift from Prince William, her husband of 13 years.
Another fan speculated that the eternity ring may be the sign of a ‘fresh start’ for the Princess, now she has finished her treatment and will mark ‘the next phase of her life’.
It isn’t the first time Kate has showcased the jewellery – she wore the ring in a star-studded congratulatory message to Team GB following their success at the Paris Olympics
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The Princess of Wales announced in an emotional video message (pictured) that she was receiving cancer treatment in March
Last month, the Princess of Wales attended the Wimbledon men’s singles final in London with Princess Charlotte
Kate, who is continuing to work from home, is hoping to return to a light programme of public duties for the remainder of the year, reflecting her need to make a full recovery, and aims for a handful of engagements in the coming months.
She is also working towards appearing with the royal family at the annual Remembrance Sunday service staged at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
The princess’ Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey has become a firm fixture in the royal calendar in recent years and she has begun working with her team on the project.
Kate has received messages of support from the public and said she and her husband had ‘drawn strength’ from all those helping them and ‘Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling’.
The video, shot in August in Norfolk where the Waleses have a family home, sounded a positive note reflected in the images of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis playing in fields or enjoying a game of cards with their parents under a tree.
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The Princess of Wales has shared an intimate glimpse into her family life in a moving clip in which she announced she has ‘finally completed her chemotherapy treatment’
Princess Catherine’s mother Carole featured in the emotional video
Kate Middleton’s family featured in the emotional three-minute video
Catherine appeared happy and relaxed in the video, which will delight her millions of supporters
The princess walks through the woods under dappled sunlight during the video released alongside her statement
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ children run through the woods as William walks alongside them bouncing a tennis ball on a cricket bat
Catherine announced publicly five months ago that she had been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy
William interacts with Princess Charlotte in a scene that appears in the video
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Catherine hugs Charlotte during a tender exchange caught on camera
Cheeky Louis is seen climbing a tree while his mother watches on
William is seen holding a card in his hand as George and Louis look on
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It ended with the princess’ words of reassurance for others who are still being treated for cancer: ‘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.’
Kensington Palace has not confirmed whether the princess expects to return to a full programme of duties next year. It is understood that decisions about 2025 will be taken in line with medical advice.
However sources told the Mail tonight that the Princess hopes to do a small number of engagements shining a light on some of the causes, issues and charities that are closest to her heart over the coming months.
They are only likely to be announced last minute as they will depend as and when Her Royal Highness feels able to carry them out, with sources stressing repeatedly that every ‘cancer journey is different’.
Kate announced publicly five months ago that she had been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy.
‘I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits,’ she said at the time, in a highly emotional and unprecedented video message.
The message followed the major abdominal surgery Kate had in January, where she spent two weeks at the London Clinic in Marylebone.
She made her first public appearance since the bombshell announcement in June when she joined the Royal Family to celebrate the King’s official birthday.
Her appearance at Trooping of the Colour had been in doubt after she missed the final rehearsal the weekend prior to the celebration, with confirmation that she would attend only given at 6pm the evening before.
In her second public appearance, the mother-of-three attended Wimbledon alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte and her sister, Pippa Middleton.
She was greeted with a standing ovation as she headed into the Royal Box during the tennis tournament in July.
Kate – who enjoys taking part in sporting events and showing her support for athletes – also made a surprise appearance alongside Prince William with a star-studded message to Team GB earlier this month.
How Kate Middleton’s video is her most intimate portrayal of her family yet – from affectionate moments with William to candid clips of the children
The Princess of Wales’s emotional video depicting her journey as she recovers from cancer is certainly her most intimate portrayal of the family to date.
After months outside the spotlight since news of her diagnosis emerged, Kensington Palace yesterday released a touching video of Kate with Prince William and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
It made for an unprecedented piece of deeply personal footage, showing an intimate portrait of the Wales family like never seen before.
The three-minute video, filmed in Norfolk last month, used scenes from nature as a meaningful backdrop and featured a personal message from the Princess herself.
It offered many new insights into William and Kate’s life, including their sweet and affectionate bond with one another, candid clips of the children, tributes to other family members and even glimpses of the family dog, Orla.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at everything we’ve learned from the Princess of Wales’s video and all the subtle mentions you may have missed.
Sweet moments of affection between Kate and William
At the centre of the Princess of Wales’s video was a sweet show of affection between her and her husband, Prince William
William and Catherine were filmed laying entwined on a blanket and larking around
At the centre of the Princess of Wales’s video was a sweet show of affection between her and her husband, Prince William.
The royal couple have in the past often kept their PDA to a minimum as senior working royals.
This time however, William and Catherine were filmed laying entwined on a blanket and larking around.
They even shared two kisses – despite this being something rarely shown in public since they tied the knot in 2011.
It shows that William has been Kate’s rock ever since news of her cancer diagnosis was announced more than five months ago.
Body language expert Judi James told yesterday that the video shows the ‘true depth of adoration and love’ the Waleses hold for one another.
‘The body language in this video tells us all we need to know about Kate’s recovery – and more. Since their engagement Kate and William have always been very careful and very sparing with their PDAs,’ Ms James said.
‘Suddenly though, we are shown the true depth of their adoration and love for each other in some simple but immensely touching scenes in this video.’
The royal couple have in the past often kept their PDA to a minimum as senior working royals – but were closer than ever in the recent video
The body language expert told : ‘[Kate’s] nuzzling hug with William on a blanket in a wood shows Kate curled totally into her husband in a pose of total trust and adoration.
‘But her arm is still around his shoulder in a gesture similar to the protective, maternal hug she is seen giving George when he clings to her in another open display of affection.
‘William’s love for his wife looks unfiltered and intense here.
‘There’s no signs of reservation or the typical Windsor stiff upper lip, he clasps both of Kate’s hands and pats them or leans over to kiss her face in what looks like a completely impulsive, submissive moment.
‘When they sit in a line he has one hand on one of her legs and Charlotte has her arm on the other, as though they all want to protect and cherish Kate.’
The candid joy of the Wales children
The video offered a heartfelt look into the Prince and Princess of Wales’s life with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, six. Pictured are Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte
Delightful scenes show the family enjoying each other’s company in nature
The video offered a heartfelt look into the Prince and Princess of Wales’s life with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, six.
Filmed last month in Norfolk, the family are seen exploring a woodland area, glorious fields and what is perhaps their favourite beach close to their countryside home of Anmer Hall.
Royal fans were delighted to see more of Prince Louis’s antics – as he appeared his usual cheeky self, going up close to the camera, climbing trees and sticking his tongue out while on a swing.
One clip shows the youngster boldly climbing a tall tree, appearing to have ascended around 15ft, as his mother watches on from the ground.
Another segment of the video showed the three Wales children speaking directly to a camera, as they sat on a blanket.
The Cambridges and their three children clamber over tree trunks near their Norfolk home
Cheeky Louis is seen climbing a tree while his mother watches on
The princess’ personal message to the nation is accompanied by a stunning three-minute long video showing her and William in Norfolk with their three children
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are featured regularly in the new video
Confident Louis leaned in towards the camera, and said: ‘Hello…hello.’
Elsewhere, the children were seen playing in the sea, clambering over tree trunks near their Norfolk home, and running through the woods while Prince William bounced a tennis ball on a cricket bat.
In one amusing moment, Prince William, 42, saves a caterpillar that has fallen on Charlotte’s head while the family enjoy a picnic underneath an impressive tree.
Experimenting with the camera, another shot showed George looking into the lens as he asked ‘is this filming?’ while sat on a picnic blanket with Kate.
A curious Louis then entered the frame to say: ‘Hello!’ while Charlotte also laughed and joined in the amusing moment.
The energetic trio also climbed around on wooden logs, shared cuddles with their family, and played card games with their grandparents during the stunning three-minute long video.
Kate’s update on her cancer journey
In an uplifting video message, the Princess of Wales revealed she has finished her course of ‘preventative chemotherapy’
Catherine spoke of her ‘relief’ at her programme of chemo finally coming to an end
Accompanying the sweet depictions of family life was Kate’s update on her cancer journey, which she gave as a personal voiceover.
The Princess of Wales revealed she has finished her course of preventative chemotherapy and plans to undertake a ‘light programme’ of public engagements over the coming months.
She said ‘doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus’ and admits that the last nine months have been a ‘scary and unpredictable’ time for her family.
King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla are understood to have welcomed the announcement as ‘wonderful news’ and will continue to offer all love, thoughts and support to Kate on her continued path to full recovery.
The Princess said the experience has reminded her and her husband 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.’
In her message the princess says: ‘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. ‘
Referring to her plans for the coming months, Catherine continues: ‘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.’
And she ends it with a deeply moving and emotional message to fellow cancer patients and their families, saying: ‘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.’
The princess walks through the woods under dappled sunlight during the video released alongside her statement
Palace sources emphasised that while the princess is looking forward to undertaking a ‘handful’ of public engagements over the coming months, her focus is on being ‘cancer free’ and her journey to full recovery ‘is long’.
Her programme of engagements will be ‘light’ but is likely, as previously revealed by the Daily Mail, to including Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph and other events around it.
She will not accompany Prince William to his Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town in November, emphasising she wanted to remain in the UK to support her young family for whom the year has been difficult too.
She has already started to work from home on ‘passion projects’ such as her early childhood programme and will continue to do so for the rest of the year.
A source stressed that the entire Wales family are ‘immensely grateful for the kind and thoughtful wishes they have received over the past nine months’ and are grateful to the media for its cooperation in affording her space and privacy.
Images of a ‘fresh start’
The Prince and Princess of Wales have given their social media accounts a revamp (pictured) – after the release of their moving video to mark the end of Kate’s chemotherapy treatment
The royal couple also changed their header photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, to a sweet photo from the clip that shows the Prince and Princess with their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte , nine, and Prince Louis , six
Kate and Prince William, both 42, yesterday updated their profile pictures on their X and Instagram pages, swapping the photograph which was taken on a visit to Ireland in 2020 (pictured) with a snap from the emotional three-minute clip
Since the video was released, the Prince and Princess of Wales have updated their profile pictures on their X and Instagram pages, swapping the photograph which was taken on a visit to Ireland in 2020 with a snap from the emotional three-minute clip.
In the main image, the loved-up royal couple six next to one another on a blanket in the woods as they hold each other’s hands. Kate is captured throwing her head back in laughter while William wears an equally cheerful look in the candid snap.
The intimate photograph replaces their previous profile picture which was taken on a walk along Howth Cliff, near Dublin, in March 2020, and showed their arms around one another.
Updates to their social media account could be signs of a ‘fresh start’ now Kate’s chemotherapy has ended.
Royal fans have also claimed the royal swapping out her engagement ring for her stunning eternity band in the new video shared yesterday was also possibly the Princess marking ‘the next phase of her life’.
The royal couple also changed their header photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, to a sweet photo from the clip that shows the Prince and Princess with their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
A cheeky Louis sits next to his father, while Charlotte has her arms resting on her mother and older brother as the family beam at the camera in the adorable picture.
The important role of the Middletons
As well as featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children, the clip also showed Kate’s parents (pictured: Carole Middleton)
The clip also features Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton.
The Middletons are seen playing cards with William, Kate and their three children, suggesting that the extended family had also played an important role in helping the Wales through their difficult time.
Both Kate and William are famously close to the rest of the Middleton family, and so it may come as little surprise to many royal watchers to see Michael and Carole in the moving video.
Sat around a dining room table, they were filmed playing a card game with their three excited grandchildren and William and Kate in another light-hearted moment.
Kate’s father Michael Middleton (pictured, right) was also seen in the video, playing cards with the Wales and their children
Prince William chats to his mother-in-law Carole Middleton and cousin Zara Phillips as the royals congregated for the second day of Royal Ascot
The game was sweetly competitive as everyone raced to be the first to put their cards in the middle of the table.
Kate’s parents are said to have spent months at her side, with Carol reportedly supporting her daughter through her cancer treatment at her home in Windsor.
In June, Michael and Carole made an appearance at Royal Ascot, where they were spotted chatting to Prince William.
Prior to this, their last public appearance at been at Kate’s annual Royal Carols: Together at Christmas at Westminster Abbey in London in December.
Subtle tributes to loved ones
Kate Middleton cut a strikingly similar image to the Queen as she drove her Land Rover on Anmer Hall estate in the emotional short film
The clip of the princess steering the wheel of the vehicle and changing the gears was very similar to footage of the Queen doing the same in the 1992 BBC documentary Elizabeth R: A Year in the Life of the Queen
The video contained multiple sweet tributes to loved ones, including a nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Princess of Wales cut a strikingly similar image to the Queen as she drove her Land Rover near the families country residence of Anmer Hall in Norfolk in an the emotional short film.
The clip of the princess turning the wheel of the vehicle and changing the gears was very similar to footage of the Queen doing the same in the 1992 BBC documentary Elizabeth R: A Year in the Life of the Queen.
In the resurfaced clip the Queen, then 66, can be seen driving in a wooded part of the Sandringham estate in Norfolk saying to her companion she ‘loves this bit’ as they travel in the picturesque countryside.
The Queen was regularly seen driving around her various royal estates in Land Rovers over the years, and in the documentary confidently pulls over to speak to speak with her staff who were out culling rabbits.
The two clips show how Catherine is now also driving in a Land Rover through the same estate as the Queen more than 30 years after the late monarch.
The Queen became so well known for her Land Rover adventures over the years, the 2006 film The Queen, which starred Helen Mirren, featured a scene of her driving around Balmoral in Scotland following the death of Princess Diana.
The mother-of three also made a subtle tribute to her children by donning a necklace complete with their initials in the wholesome video
In the video, Kate also wore a delicate gold necklace, which royal fans were quick to spot as a subtle tribute to her children.
The £1,070 ‘Personalised Gold Midnight Moon Necklace’ by Daniella Draper, is engraved with the letters ‘G, L, C’ in honour of her children.
Online, the product description reads: ‘The moon is universally representing the rhythm of time as it embodies the cycle. The phases of the moon symbolise immortality, eternity and enlightenment.’
Elsewhere, little Prince Louis, six, is spotted flying through the air on a wooden swing in the grounds of Anmer Hall.
The swing itself is a sentimental piece of furniture as it was gifted to the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011, their wedding year. The couple received the gift from King Charles.
The clip is perhaps another sign of how the Princess is giving a subtle nod to those close to her and whom she is keeping in her heart as she focuses on being ‘cancer-free’ from now on.
Glimpses of the rarely seen family dog
In the video, the the family dog Orla was sat on Kate and William’s lap as they enjoyed a picnic at the beach
Orla featured in Princess Charlotte’s birthday photoshoot as she turned seven in 2022
The Wales’s sweet video even featured brief glimpses of the family dog, a black English cocker spaniel named Orla.
In the video, the royal hound was sat on Kate and William’s lap as they enjoyed a picnic at the beach.
She can also be seen running alongside the family as they take a walk in the woods at the start of the three-minute long video.
Orla was given to the family in the summer of 2020 by Kate’s brother James Middleton, who is well known for his love of dogs.
As a puppy, Orla featured in Princess Charlotte’s photoshoot when she turned seven, with the young royal beaming amid the bluebells.
William and Kate lost Lupo, their first black spaniel in November 2020, and had doted on him since they got him as a puppy in 2012, a year into their marriage.
Orla’s name was initially kept as a secret for two years. The name is Celtic in origin and means ‘golden princess’.
How the Waleses relied on one of their favourite film-makers
The London-based filmmaker, of Brixton, London, is married to Sarah Warr (both pictured) and is a father-of-one to their baby Frederick Skye Grayling Warr, who is turning two later this month
The new video of the princess and her family – an unprecedented piece of deeply personal footage – was filmed in Norfolk by one of their favourite film-makers, Will Warr.
The videographer has long been trusted by the royal couple, and has often worked with them on intimate behind-the-scenes projects, including footage which showed the family getting ready for the Coronation.
Sharing the video on his Instagram, he wrote: ‘It’s always an honour to produce films for @princeandprincessofwales, but this one was particularly poignant. Thank you to The Princess of Wales for trusting me to create this.’
The London-based filmmaker, of Brixton, London, is married to Sarah Warr and is a father-of-one to their baby Frederick Skye Grayling Warr, who is turning two later this month.
Will’s current focus appears to be creating content for foodie channel Topjaw, which asks celebrities and culinary VIPs about their favourite restaurants. Recently, he and host Jesse Burgess worked with A-listers including Jamie Oliver, Ed Sheeran and Stanley Tucci.
He also does weddings, and has worked across projects with several brands, such as Red Bull, Candy Kittens, Brooklyn Brewery, Uber Eats, Miele, Bloom & Wild, Diageo, Puma and Holland Cooper.
Will’s current focus appears to be creating content for foodie channel Topjaw, which asks celebrities and culinary VIPs about their favourite restaurants. Recently, he and host Jesse Burgess (right) worked with A-listers including Jamie Oliver (centre), Ed Sheeran and Stanley Tucci
The videographer has in past said it was ‘wonderful’ an ‘honour’ and a ‘privilege’ to work with the Princess, with whom he has worked on a number of initiatives.
In December, Will was on hand when she was ‘highlighting the important work of volunteers at the UK’s Baby Banks.
And the month prior, he had joined the Waleses in Singapore to film content for the Earthshot Prize.
Will has also worked on shooting footage for the Coronation, as well as the Prince and Princess of Waleses’ ten-year anniversary back in 2022.
His most recent success has come from Topjaw, which he and Jesse only launched last year.
While they have focused on shortform endeavours, Will hopes they will expand the project.
‘I love long-form, shooting landscape, cinematic and epic,’ he told the Financial Times. ‘The dream is one day to have our own Netflix show.’
Kate swapping her engagement ring for new ‘eternity ring’
During one emotional moment, as the Princess is heard saying: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand’, the royal is seen walking through a field
The Princess of Wales swapped out her engagement ring for her stunning eternity band – which many royal fans have taken as the sign of a ‘new start’.
During one emotional moment, as the Princess is heard saying: ‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand’, the royal is seen walking through a field.
She holds out one of her hands to run her fingers through the tall grass, and showcases her wedding ring and her new ‘eternity band’, which she appeared to swap out for her engagement ring, that once belonged to her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.
After spotting the change in the royal’s chosen jewels, royal fans suggested the ring (which Kate also wore in her last appearance) is likely a gift from Prince William – and could be the sign of a ‘fresh start’ now her chemotherapy has ended.
It isn’t the first time Kate has showcased the jewellery – she wore the ring in a star-studded congratulatory message to Team GB following their success at the Paris Olympics.
Appearing alongside the Prince of Wales, the Princess was seen with a new band on her wedding ring finger, leading royal fans to speculate it is an eternity ring.