Britain’s Princess of Wales Kate Middleton said on Wednesday that she had to wear a “brave face” during and after her cancer treatment last year. She also labeled the experience as life-altering.
Kate Middleton, 43, revealed in March 2024 that she would be undergoing a series of chemotherapy sessions after scans taken after undergoing major surgery in her stomach area tested positive for an unspecified type of cancer.
Kate Middleton finished treatment in September, and reported earlier this year that she was in remission.
‘Brave Face’ and the Difficult Recovery Phase of Princess Kate
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal’, but actually the phase afterwards is really… difficult,” news agency Reuters quoted Kate as saying during a visit to a hospital in Essex, southeast England.
Addressing hospital staff, patients and volunteers, the UK Princess emphasized the role of support following treatment, as patients may be no longer under clinical supervision but still lack the capacity to “function normally at home” as they used to.
Kate described the cancer diagnosis and treatment as “life-changing” for both patients and their loved ones, according to PA Media, adding: “It’s a rollercoaster, it’s not one smooth plain”.
Slow Return to Public Life
The princess has been slowly returning to her official royal duties but last month whiled away at home at the Royal Ascot horse racing event, a royal source explaining she needed balance after her cancer treatment.
Since completing her treatment, Kate has made limited public appearances, focusing on her recovery and regaining strength. Her recent engagement at the hospital was among the few rare insights she offered into her personal emotional journey.
Her message resonated deeply with many facing similar battles, highlighting that recovery isn’t just physical it’s emotional, psychological, and ongoing.