Kate Middleton attends poignant first engagement of 2025 at hospital where she underwent cancer treatment
The Princess of Wales spoke of her 'quiet, private visits' during her treatment and wanted to express gratitude and raise awareness


The Princess of Wales has attended her first engagement of 2025 and poignantly visited the hospital where she underwent cancer treatment.
After enjoying precious family time outside of the public eye over Christmas, the Princess of Wales has resumed her royal duties for 2025 with an incredibly moving engagement. Stepping out in London on 14th January - five days after Prince William shared Kate’s 43rd birthday photo alongside a heartfelt message - the future Queen visited the Royal Marsden Hospital. She made this personal event to thank members of staff for their compassion and care and confirmed that this hospital was where she underwent her own treatment for cancer.
"The Princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides," a spokesperson for Kensington Palace declared, as per the BBC.
During her visit to the Royal Marsden, the Princess of Wales is said to have explained how arriving for this engagement was quite a different experience after all of her private visits to the hospital as a patient.
She declared, "I was just saying, coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it's quite nice."
Her Royal Highness met with both medical staff and cancer patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital and expressed her thanks and support to them. Remarking upon the approaches taken by the world-leading specialist cancer hospital, Kate described how the treatments are "really so different and so varied" and how it "impacts families differently".
As well as highlighting their significant work, Kate will be lending them her continuing support as she is becoming a joint Patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust alongside Prince William.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
The Prince of Wales has also been the hospital’s President since 2007 and this position was previously held by his late mother Princess Diana.
It was in March last year that Kate first made her cancer diagnosis public and she confirmed in September that she’d completed her treatment with a special message and video by Will Warr. During her time at the Royal Marsden, she candidly reflected upon how it felt to finish chemotherapy and the difficulties that come with trying to resume "normal" life.
"You think the treatment has finished and you can crack on and get back to normal, but that's still a real challenge," she said. "The words totally disappear. And understanding that as a patient, yes there are side effects around treatment but actually there are more long-term side effects.
The Princess later added, "Sometimes from the outside we all think you've finished treatment and you go back to things. But it's hard to get back to normal."
For her, "continuity is so important" on both good and bad days and she felt that this is sometimes more significant for loved ones. "They need support just as much as I did as the patient," she declared, as per The Telegraph.
Throughout 2024 every message Kate shared referenced her love for her family and it was clear that they were at the forefront of her mind as her support network at this challenging time. She, Prince William, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis walked to church together on Christmas Day and the family likely celebrated her 43rd birthday quietly at Adelaide Cottage on 9th January ahead of this poignant first engagement back in 2025.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
Zara Tindall’s clever heel trick is an affordable wedding season saviour
Wearing high heels isn’t for the faint hearted but Zara Tindall’s clever trick is an inexpensive way to make wedding season that bit easier.
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The viral M&S suede loafers are finally back in stock in chocolate brown - they're super comfy so don't miss out
This is not an April Fool - the £55 shoes are online now
By Caroline Parr Published
-
Kate Middleton's Mother's Day post has poignant detail that's easy to miss as Princess steps away from tradition
The Princess of Wales shared a video for Mother's Day this year and it included a detail that reminded us of a pivotal moment for her
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton and Duchess Sophie prove that buying items you love in multiple colours can really pay off
They've shown that having your favourite pieces in several shades can be so handy if they're true to your signature style
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Remember Kate Middleton's baby pink McQueen suit? I've found a dreamy Mango lookalike
The Princess of Wales's pastel pink suit was a show-stopping spring outfit and I've found something very similar at Mango
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton addresses family move and why she and Prince William swapped London for Windsor
The Princess of Wales has explained why she and Prince William moved to Berkshire in 2022 and it makes complete sense
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
We never thought we’d love jewel tones in spring but Kate Middleton’s green St Patrick’s day outfit makes it look so elegant
The Princess of Wales stepped out on St Patrick's Day wearing a gorgeous bottle green coat and matching accessories
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
What wedges does Kate Middleton wear? Where to buy her summer shoe staples
Kate Middleton's wedges are an elegant option for the summer months and there are certain designs she's had in her collection for years
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
What Missoma earrings does Kate Middleton have? The two affordable go-tos the Princess of Wales wears on repeat
The Princess of Wales has an extensive royal jewellery collection but her affordable Missoma pieces are some of her most-worn
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's pancake confession is one of the most relatable royal food revelations we've heard
The Princess of Wales once put her pancake flipping skills to the test at engagement and made a candid admission
By Emma Shacklock Published