The Princess of Wales joined a young mother at a Manchester cancer ward on Thursday to celebrate the completion of her chemotherapy treatment.
Kate Middleton was present at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust as 30-year-old Claire Lorente, along with her partner Pablo and son Enzo, rang the traditional bell marking the emotional occasion.
The Princess's visit, intended to observe the trust's wide range of holistic care, came as a welcome surprise for Ms Lorente and her family.
Kate hugged Ms Lorente and told her: “Well done you. What a journey. It’s been a tough one, yeah?
“You have done brilliantly. Well done.”
She also embraced Pablo and said: “Well done. It’s just as hard for the family and loved ones.”
She also said to Enzo: “Isn’t mummy brave.”
Kate then joined well-wishers in encouraging a tearful Ms Lorente to ring the bell as she said: “You can do it.”
Kate revealed at the start of 2025 that she was in remission after receiving chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Her diagnosis, in early 2024, came after she was secretly admitted to The London Clinic for abdominal surgery, and came in the same year as the King was also diagnosed with cancer.
In March of that year, Kensington Palace released a video of the princess announcing that she had been diagnosed with cancer. She asked the public for privacy as she began a course of preventative chemotherapy.
Kate said at the time: “It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.”
Her husband Prince William has since spoken candidly about the royal family’s major health scares, saying 2024 has “probably been the hardest year in my life” and a “dreadful” experience.
In May, Kate undertook her first overseas royal engagement since her diagnosis, travelling solo to Italy with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, looking after more than 60,000 patients a year, and serves a population of 3.2 million people from Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas.
Among its holistic therapies, all free of charge to patients and carers, are drop-in art classes, a wellbeing garden and a chaplaincy service.
The princess joined in an art session with six patients who regularly use creative expression to aid their recovery.
Resident artist Patricia Mountfield told her: “It can be very isolating for some people.
“We have patients who come in and forget about everything while they are in here.”
Kate said: “It changes you in so many ways physically but also emotionally and psychologically, and actually finding ways to express that and to explore that is quite difficult.
“To do this in a clinical setting is really important.”
