A TV doctor has explained exactly what the wonderful news which Kate Middleton revealed this week actually means. The Princess of Wales is in remission from cancer, she has revealed, after making an emotional return to the hospital where she was treated to comfort fellow patients.
Kate, in a written personal message following a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, south-west London, on Tuesday, described her “relief” and said “there is much to look forward to”. It is the first time Kate has used the word remission to describe where she is in her cancer journey.
The princess said, in her message which was signed “C”: “It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.
“I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”
The Princess of Wales during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, where she received her cancer treatment, to personally thank staff for her care.
(Image: PA)
Speaking on ITV show Lorraine NHS doctor Amir Khan explained what it actually means. Host Lorraine Kelly said: “We’re talking about the Princess of Wales sharing the news that she is in remission following her cancer treatment. Doctor Anir joins me now. Very, very good news, but a lot of people have been getting in touch with us. Just not quite clear on what remission actually means. So when a doctor tells you that, what do you take away from it?”
Dr Khan said: “It is good news. What it means is the last appointment she had at her doctors, depending on the type of cancer she’s had, the scans, the blood tests, or any other investigations have shown that there are no cancer cells detectable during that investigation or those investigations.
“So it’s really positive news. It’s different to being cured from cancer, so to be cured from cancer you need to be in remission for 5 years or more, and it doesn’t mean that her treatment is over and again it depends on the type of cancer that she may have had, but she may be on maintenance treatments, often just tablets that they take at home to make sure that cancer or reduce the risk of cancer coming back, but it will be great news for her, her family, and for all of us.“
In September, Kate told how “doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus” as she announced the end of her chemotherapy treatment. Sufficient time has passed since the end of her chemotherapy meaning the princess can now describe herself as in ‘remission’.
Kate spoke candidly about her own diagnosis, the “shock” of her “really tough” chemotherapy and the challenges of getting back to normal as she thanked her “amazing” medical teams for her care during her trip to the Marsden on Tuesday. The princess, on her first major solo official engagement for more than a year, hugged Tina Adumou, who broke down in tears as she told Kate that her 19-year-old daughter is in the intensive care unit.
Putting an arm around her, Kate looked emotional and told her she is in the best possible place. The princess said: “I’m sorry. I wish there was more I could do to help. I wanted to come and show my support for the amazing work that’s going on here, and for those who are going through treatment and having such a hard time.”
Kate added: “Are you OK? Yes?” then said, smiling: “There is light at the end of that tunnel. Very nice to meet you and best of luck. You are in the best of hands.” The engagement – the princess’s first for 2025 – was described as an important and “incredibly poignant” moment in Kate’s “personal journey”.
It had not been previously disclosed that Kate was treated at the Marsden – a world-leading state-of-the-art cancer centre known for its pioneering research.