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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Clara Margotin

King, Queen and Kate mark 125 years of Cancer Research UK with reception

The Princess of Wales at the Cancer Research UK reception (Yui Mok/PA) - (PA Wire)

The King, Queen and Princess of Wales have arrived at a reception marking the 125th anniversary of a cancer charity.

Charles, who is patron of Cancer Research UK, is hosting the event at London’s St James’s Palace, where they will meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in the charity’s prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

On show will be immersive installations showcasing charity’s work and visual representations of how technological innovation is transforming research into the disease.

The King and Queen meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in Cancer Research UK’s prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer work (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)
The King and Queen meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in Cancer Research UK’s prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer work (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Kensington Palace announced Kate’s attendance on Tuesday morning.

The princess was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer early in 2024, for which she underwent chemotherapy, and revealed she was in remission 16 months ago in January 2025.

She returned to international travel last month by carrying out her first overseas royal visit since facing cancer, heading to Reggio Emilia, near Bologna in Italy, for a solo working trip as part of her early years work.

The King speaks to science broadcaster Hannah Fry (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)
The King speaks to science broadcaster Hannah Fry (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

The King, who is still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, previously said he was “so proud” of Kate for her courage in speaking out about her cancer diagnosis.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will also attend the reception on Tuesday evening, with the duke being a joint president of Cancer Research UK.

The charity’s work on how cancer is understood, prevented, detected and treated stretches back to the founding of its predecessor organisations — the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign, founded in 1902 and 1923 respectively.

Kate met staff and volunteers of the cancer charity (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)
Kate met staff and volunteers of the cancer charity (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

The latest NHS England statistics available revealed one of the Government’s targets for cancer care still has not been met.

The figures showed 72.8% of patients began their first definitive treatment for cancer in March within 62 days of an urgent referral or consultant upgrade.

While it was up from 68.6% in February, it fell short from the 75% target set for March.

Overall, 79.4% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in March, above the 75% target.

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