Royal fans ‘cried with joy’ as they showed their support for Princess Kate after she announced she had stopped chemotherapy.
To the delight of millions, the Princess of Wales announced today that she has completed her ‘preventative chemotherapy’ and that she plans to undertake a ‘light programme’ of public appearances in the coming months.
However, she cautions that “my focus now is on doing everything I can to stay cancer free” and admits the past nine months have been a “scary and unpredictable” time for her family.
Thousands of people have responded online to congratulate the mother of three and hope for a full recovery in the coming months.
Royal fans are ‘crying with joy’ as they show their support for Princess Kate after her announcement that she has stopped chemotherapy
Kensington Palace has not confirmed whether the princess – seen with William – expects to return to a full schedule of duties next year. It is understood that decisions about 2025 will be made in line with medical advice
The Cambridges and their three children clamber over logs near their Norfolk home
Catherine says the experience has reminded her and her husband, Prince William, to ‘reflect and be grateful for the simple but important things in life’
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis regularly appear in the new video clip
The Princess’s personal message to the nation is accompanied by a stunning three-minute video showing her and William in Norfolk with their three children
One user said: ‘Oh my god… I’m crying with joy. This video with Princess Catherine and her family is deeply moving and inspiring. God bless you.’
While another added: ‘Could cry with joy. Stay healthy.’
Another Royal fan wrote: ‘This is incredibly moving and beautiful. God bless and continue to bless this family. May the Princess make a full recovery.’
The experience, Catherine says, has reminded her and her husband, Prince William, “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.”
The heartfelt message to the nation was accompanied by a powerful three-minute video showing her and William in Norfolk with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The video was filmed last month.
Catherine appeared happy and relaxed in the video, which will delight her millions of fans
The princess walks through the forest under dappled sunlight during the video released alongside her statement
Kate and William in the new video, which was filmed in Norfolk last month
Kate hugs Princess Charlotte in the video
Louis brings his face to the camera as George and Catherine can be seen in the background
Princess Charlotte was also seen several times during the footage
Prince Louis appeared as his usual cheeky self during the charming family video
Kate also concluded her video with a deeply moving and emotional message to fellow cancer patients and their families, saying, “To everyone continuing their own cancer journey – I will stand with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright.”
Her programme will be ‘light’ but is likely, as previously revealed by the Daily Mail, to include Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph and other events surrounding it.
They are likely to be announced at the last minute, as it depends on when Her Royal Highness feels able to carry them out. Sources repeatedly stress that ‘every cancer journey is different’.
She will not accompany Prince William to the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Cape Town in November, stressing that she wants to remain in the UK to support her young family, for whom the year has also been difficult.
Other people responded in the comments, sharing their own struggles during chemotherapy and how they can understand how difficult it is.
Someone said: ‘This cancer and chemotherapy survivor is happy to see that Kate Middleton has completed her ‘preventative’ chemo treatment and appears to have made a full physical recovery.’
Another added: ‘I can’t tell you how horrible chemo is…it’s awful. Please be kind to everyone who has to go through this.’
While a third said: ‘I’ve seen first-hand what cancer does to people. After all, Kate Middleton is a mother of three young children so I’m glad she’s cancer free and can spend more time with them.’
Kate Middleton’s family featured in emotional three-minute video
Catherine spoke of her ‘relief’ that her chemo programme was finally over
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 filmmakers, Will Warr.
The setting of the images is highly symbolic, referring to the strength Catherine draws from her family and loved ones and from the time she spends doing the things that bring her joy, particularly the refuge she has found in nature.
Her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, are also seen, and they are her unconditional support.
Five months ago, Catherine publicly announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing “preventative” chemotherapy.
“I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that help me heal; in my mind, body and soul,” she said at the time in a highly emotional and unprecedented video message.
The news followed Catherine’s major abdominal surgery in January, which saw her spend two weeks at the London Clinic in Marylebone.
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 filmmakers, Will Warr
Catherine and William frolic on the beach in a delightful scene from the video
The news that Catherine will resume her public duties in the autumn follows the news yesterday that the King’s health is also ‘very positive’.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in January after undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King and Queen are preparing for a major trip to Australia and Samoa in the autumn, their first major foreign trip since news of Charles’ cancer broke.
There will be time for rest in Australia and Samoa, with not too many back-to-back meetings to take into account the time difference and a hoped-for trip to New Zealand cancelled to reduce travel costs, but Charles’s schedule is still expected to be ‘quite full’