When Catherine, Princess of Wales, shared her cancer diagnosis back in March 2024, the world held its breath. The royal family is known for its stiff upper lip and carefully controlled narratives, so Kate’s message was very unusual in its vulnerability. She wasn’t just informing the public about the state of her health—she was publicly sharing one of the most painful and uncertain chapters of her life. Now, over a year later, her latest update demonstrates that she is not yet finished rewriting the royal rulebook.
In her most recent appearance at Colchester Hospital, Kate did something that felt almost revolutionary for a royal: she was honest. There was no glossy-magazine rhetoric about overcoming cancer, rejoicing in victory, and moving forward. She actually shared her real and complicated thoughts on recovery and how it feels to deal with all of this.
“Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she said, frankly. “It’s a rollercoaster.”
Yes, the Princess of Wales is officially in remission. And yes, she looked radiant at Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter just a few weeks ago. But behind those polished public appearances and perfect posture is a woman still deep in the thick of recovery—a process that, by her own admission, is far from over.
The Reality of “Afterwards”
Kate’s choice of words, specifically calling it a “roller coaster”, perfectly captures what many cancer survivors experience once the treatments end and the spotlight dims. As she explained, the expectation is that once chemo is over, life resumes. But the reality is way more difficult and complicated than you expect. Many experience emotional whiplash, lingering fatigue from the treatment, and then there’s also the mental toll of living with uncertainty.
This is something she wanted to shine a light on, not just for herself, but for the millions going through it silently. Most public figures don’t talk about the “after.” And certainly not in front of cameras, taking off gardening gloves to work with her bare hands, planting a rose named after them. (Yes, that happened. More on that in a sec.)
Kate’s moment of vulnerability wasn’t some off-the-cuff comment. It was strategic honesty, a conscious effort to shape the conversation around cancer recovery and challenge the illusion that “remission” equals “restored.”
A No-Show That Said Everything
In June, Kate made headlines for not showing up to Royal Ascot, a move that sent royal watchers (and the media) into a frenzy of speculation. Is she okay? Has the cancer returned? Is the palace hiding something?
Even royal aides, typically the unflappable soldiers of the Firm, were reportedly concerned. One source claimed Kate is “fortunate to even be speaking of recovery,” highlighting just how serious things had been behind palace doors. But according to Kensington Palace, the absence wasn’t anything ominous.
After attending two major royal events back-to-back, Kate simply needed some time to herself, to rest and take a break. And honestly, the fact that she chose to put her mental and physical health first instead of pushing forward and carrying on—good for her.
Even a future queen is allowed to say, “Actually, I’m tired. I need to rest.”
How She’s Healing: Roses, Acupuncture, and Saying No
During her Colchester visit, Kate revealed she’s been turning to acupuncture, a traditional Chinese therapy she also used during pregnancy, to help manage the physical and emotional aftermath of cancer. That admission might seem small, but it’s a reminder that healing isn’t just about prescriptions and hospital gowns—it’s about doing what works for your mind, body, and spirit.
She also helped plant a “Catherine’s Rose” to honor cancer patients, support staff, and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity—one of her longtime patronages. It was a symbolic gesture, but also deeply personal. It was a perfect example of how she chooses to use her limited energy these days—showing up where it counts.
In fact, making purposeful appearances has become her new focus. Kate is not returning to her usual routine. She’s choosing purposeful, meaningful appearances—like her support for Children’s Hospice Week—over routine royal duties. She’s no longer filling her calendar to satisfy tabloid headlines. She’s prioritising matters of health and heart.
The Bigger Message: You Don’t Just “Bounce Back”
This new and wiser post-cancer Kate is softer, and surprisingly candid. And it’s helping her to connect with people in a way few royals managed before. She’s no longer just the Duchess who looked dazzling at weddings and wore Alexander McQueen dresses like a second skin. She’s a woman who was forced to face her mortality, and who’s choosing to talk about the messy, unglamorous parts of surviving.
She’s showing us all that you don’t need to fake feeling okay. You don’t need to apologize for needing rest. And you definitely don’t owe the world a perfect comeback story. So next time she skips a public appearance, maybe instead of panicking, take a page out of her book and remember that recovery isn’t a performance, it’s a process. And Kate, it seems, is doing it her way.
Kate Middleton’s Most Candid Cancer Update Yet
