Kate Middleton is keeping her heart on her sleeve as she returns to public life, speaking candidly about the struggles with cancer.
The Princess of Wales, 43, spoke about putting a “brave face” on for the treatment during a recent hospital visit. She also admitted she is still struggling to “function normally” at home.
Several netizens agreed with her statements, saying, “Even though treatment is over, you will never be the same.”
Kate Middleton spoke about not being able to “function normally” at home after her cancer treatment
The British royal stepped away from the limelight after announcing in March 2024 that she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
By September 2024, she announced that she had completed chemotherapy and said in January that she was in remission.
This week, she officially returned to public duties with a visit to the Colchester Hospital in Essex on July 2.
Kate visited the hospital’s newly opened well-being garden for patients and staff.
She also planted several “Catherine’s Rose” plants—a new rose named after the Princess of Wales by the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Colchester Hospital received fifty of the roses this week, while 500 other “Catherine’s Rose” plants will be delivered this summer to community and well-being gardens across the U.K.
Princess Kate made a return to public duties with a visit to Colchester Hospital on July 2
While speaking to the Colchester Hospital staff this week, she candidly spoke about her cancer journey and the challenges that came with it.
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment,” said the mother of three.
“Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.”
Kate shares Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, with her husband, Prince William, the heir to the British throne.
She admitted how it’s hard to go back to the way things were before her cancer treatment at home.
Kate reflected on putting on a brave face during chemotherapy and finding a “new normal” in the aftermath
“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” she said.
“And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you, and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”
Calling it “life-changing” for both the patient and their loved ones, Kate said it’s essential to find the “new normal”.
“You have to find your new normal and that takes time…and it’s a roller coaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be,” she added. “But the reality is you go through hard times.”
The Princess of Wales helped plant “Catherine’s Rose” flowers, which were named in her honor
Royal fans compassionately agreed with her statements, with many sharing their own experiences with cancer treatment.
“This resonates with me 100%,” one said, while another called her a “Brave woman !!!!”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)
“So true. The effects of chemotherapy and radiation can last many years. Thank you, Kate, for your honesty and transparency,” read one comment.
Another wrote, “So true, I’m still struggling sometimes on the aftermath of my cancer treatments, it’s hard to talk about.”
Fans praised her honesty, calling her “brave” for voicing the emotional and physical toll of cancer
Sources revealed that the queen-in-waiting is keeping her eyes forward after a challenging year.
She stood with her family of five on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Color.
The event, which recognizes the monarch’s official birthday each year, was held on June 14.
During the event, Kate “projected the confidence of someone who has enthusiastically reconnected with her public duties,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People last month.
Insiders said Kate is reclaiming her public role at her own pace
A source close to the royal household said the princess, while undergoing chemotherapy, did not have “the privacy that a person who faces this kind of illness is normally afforded.”
Nevertheless, she has reportedly been setting boundaries and even leaned on nature for her journey of healing.
“She gets so much sustenance in nature, and she’s lucky to have homes in some of the most beautiful parts of Britain: in Norfolk and on the Windsor estate,” Queen Elizabeth’s former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson told the outlet last month.
“She’ll be able to reenergize herself,” Ailsa added.
Watch the queen-in-waiting planting the roses in the video below
As she returns to her royal duties, Ailsa said Kate is going at her own comfortable speed.
“She’s being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life,” she added.
Netizens compassionately agreed with Kate’s candid remarks about cancer
