The Duchess of York gave royal fans a reassuring health update as she left a hospital appointment this afternoon following her skin cancer diagnosis.
Sarah Ferguson, 64, revealed she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on Sunday just months after under going a second bout of reconstructive surgery following her breast cancer diagnosis.
Despite being hit by a second cancer blow, Fergie, as she is affectionately known, waved to well-wishers after seeing her dermatologist at the King Edward VII hospital in Marylebone, London.
The smiling duchess, who learnt of her diagnosis over the New Year, gave a short but positive update, telling fans: ‘I’m fine, thank you.’
Fergie, dressed in a navy blue blazer, matching skirt, black tights and loafers, stopped to chat with the public after her appointment before being ushered away by her driver.
The Duchess of York gave royal fans a reassuring health update as she left a hospital appointment this afternoon following her skin cancer diagnosis
Waving to fans, the Duchess said she was feeling ‘fine’ and thanked them for their support
The Duchess of York (pictured) gave royal fans a reassuring update as she left a hospital appointment this afternoon following her skin cancer diagnosis
Fergie revealed her shock diagnosis last week, just six months after battling breast cancer.
The mother-of-two had a number of moles removed while undergoing breast reconstruction surgery last year, one of which was found to be malignant.
The duchess, who is the ex-wife of King Charles’ brother Prince Andrew, was described as being in ‘good spirits’ after the ‘distressing’ news, which was broken to her just days after Christmas.
‘It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was,’ she wrote.
‘Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I am in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.
‘I am incredibly thankful to the medical teams that have supported me through both of these experiences with cancer and to the MAYRLIFE Clinic for taking gentle care of me in the past weeks, allowing me time for recuperation.’
The duchess added she was now resting at home with her family.
‘I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent,’ she added.
Sarah Ferguson pictured with her ex-husband Prince Andrew attending Christmas Day service in Sandringham last month
‘I am incredibly thankful to the medical teams that have supported me through both of these experiences with cancer and to the MAYRLIFE Clinic for taking gentle care of me in the past weeks, allowing me time for recuperation.
‘I am resting with family at home now, feeling blessed to have their love and support.’
Since her divorce from Andrew in 1996 she has forged a new career as a successful author. However, she remains close to her husband and they still share the same family home in Windsor.
She joined the other senior royals for the annual Christmas get-together at the Sandringham estate in eastern England in December, a sign she was back in the royal fold.
It is hoped that the cancer was found early enough that she won’t have any further problems, but will undergo further tests to determine whether it has spread.
The news comes days after it was revealed King Charles and the Princess of Wales had health scares. Pictured: King Charles greets Princess Catherine at the world premiere of No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall in London in September 2021
Sarah Ferguson pictured with her daughters Princess Beatrice (left) and Princess Eugenie (right) at the Masterpiece Midsummer Party at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 2013
The Duchess is reported to have spent the last few weeks staying at the MAYRLIFE clinic in Altausee, Austria (pictured)
The Austrian health resort (pictured) has played host to the likes of Naomi Campbell, Karlie Kloss and Rebel Wilson in the past
A melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body, mainly caused by exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or sunbeds.
People with paler skin, a large number of moles and family history of skin cancer tend to be more at risk of developing this.
The news came days after a double royal health scare, when it was revealed King Charles III was preparing for a prostate procedure and the Princess of Wales had undergone planned abdominal surgery.
Friends say Fergie is the ‘most resilient’ person they know and is already planning to pick up her television career again soon to encourage others to get themselves checked out.
One friend told the Mail that the duchess had been informed she would need ‘further investigations’ to make sure it has been caught at the early stages.
‘Everyone is hoping this is the case and the doctors are hopeful they have got it early, but melanoma is aggressive and they need to double check everything,’ they said.
They added of Sarah: ‘She’s very resilient and she does bounce back from things quite quickly but two diagnosis of cancer in six months, particularly when she thought she had just got over the breast cancer, is a lot for anyone to deal with and process.
‘You hope you’ve beaten it and then get something like this.
‘That’s why she wanted to take herself off the Austria for a couple of weeks, to get her head around everything. She’s back home now and the family have been very supportive.’
They also praised ‘her girls’ – Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie – who they said have been ‘fantastic over the last six months’.
‘They really have been brilliant over her breast cancer diagnosis. And they are already rallying around her,’ they said.