Kate Middleton Reveals She’s Completed Chemotherapy Amid Cancer Battle: Health Updates
Many fans grew concerned about Princess Kate Middleton when Kensington Palace announced she underwent an abdominal procedure in January 2024. After she spent months out of the spotlight, Kate resurfaced to reveal she had been diagnosed with cancer. What are the latest updates on her health?
Why Did Kate Middleton Have Surgery?
Kate’s health issues first made headlines when it was revealed she had a “planned” abdominal surgery in January 2024. One day after the operation, Kensington Palace shared an update about her recovery process.
“The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” the statement read. “Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
Kate was discharged from the hospital on January 29, 2024. The palace confirmed she returned home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, to focus on her recovery with her family.
“She is making good progress,” the palace’s statement explained. “The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided. The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
Despite the palace’s initial comments that she would be staying out of the spotlight until the end of March 2024, many people wondered if there was more to the story. Several conspiracy theories quickly began circulating online about her disappearance, though the palace didn’t share any more insight about the situation.
When Was Kate Middleton Diagnosed With Cancer?
Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer on March 22, 2024, in a video shared by the BBC.
“[My] medical team advised preventative chemotherapy and I am now in early stages of that treatment,” the Princess of Wales began in the clip. “[It has] taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start treatment, also to explain to kids and to reassure them I will be OK.”
She then explained that her husband, Prince William, has been a “great source of comfort and reassurance” for her during the difficult time.
Kate also explained she wanted her kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to fully understand the situation before she publicly announced the news. "As I’ve said to them, I am well and getting stronger everyday by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits,” she said.
What Type of Cancer Does Kate Middleton Have?
Despite revealing that she had cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy, Kate did not confirm what type of cancer she was diagnosed with.
Kate Middleton Reveals She Is Making 'Progress' in Cancer Battle
The princess announced in a June 14, 2024, Instagram post that she would be making her first public appearance of the year the following day at the annual Trooping the Colour. She also gave her first health update since revealing her cancer diagnosis.
"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well," she wrote.
"My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home," Kate continued.
While saying she was "looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade with my family," and hoped to take part in "a few public engagements over the summer," the princess cautioned, "I am not out of the woods yet."
Kate Middleton Attends Wimbledon
In her second public appearance of the year after Trooping the Colour, Kate attended the men's final at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024. Fans in the stadium cheered and gave the princess a standing ovation upon her surprise arrival as she made her way to the royal box. Kate later handed out trophies to winner Carlos Alcaraz and runner-up Novak Djokovic.
Kate Middleton Announces She's Completed Preventative Chemotherapy
The princess revealed in a September 9, 2024, video that she had completed her preventative chemotherapy treatment yet warned she still wasn't out of the woods.
"Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes," she explained. “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey — I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.”
“I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can,” the princess continued.
“Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus,” she shared. “I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
Kate is continuing to work from home and hopes to return for several public engagements in the coming months.
Her next appearance will likely be on Remembrance Sunday, which falls on November 10, 2024. Kate views the annual service from a balcony above the Cenotaph in London's Whitehall, joining Queen Camilla.
The princess has also begun working with her team on her annual Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey. She started what's become an annual holiday tradition in 2021. The “Together at Christmas” service takes place in early December and airs as a television special in the U.K. on Christmas Eve.
