Kate Middleton has opened up once again about the emotional and physical toll of cancer, offering a personal glimpse into her ongoing recovery since completing preventative chemotherapy earlier this year.
Speaking during a visit to Colchester Hospital’s wellbeing garden on July 2, the Princess of Wales, 43, reflected on the reality of post-treatment life — a stage she described as surprisingly difficult and often overlooked.
“You put on a brave face through treatment,” she said. “And when it’s over, people expect you to be back to normal. But that’s not the case at all.”
Kate, who planted a new ‘Catherine’s Rose’ during her visit, explained that although treatment has ended and she is in remission, the healing process is far from linear.
“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re also not able to function the way you used to,” she added. “There’s this expectation — from others and yourself — that you’re just ‘better’ now. But that’s not how it works.”
She admitted that it’s taken time to adjust, and even now she’s still learning how to give herself space to heal. “It’s about finding your new normal,” she said.
A personal journey of patience and perspective
The Princess first revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and began preventative chemotherapy shortly after. In a personal video message at the time, she acknowledged that the news had been a “huge shock” and that she needed time to process it privately, especially for the sake of her young children.
In June of last year, during the early stages of treatment, Kate spoke openly about the unpredictability of chemotherapy. “There are good days and bad days,” she said. “On the bad days, you feel weak and tired and have to rest. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of it.”
She also talked about learning to be patient — particularly with uncertainty — and the importance of listening to her body. “I’m learning to take each day as it comes,” she said at the time. “To allow myself this much-needed time to heal.”
Kate’s openness has resonated deeply with the public, offering a rare voice of compassion from within the royal family during a time of personal and collective difficulty. Her willingness to speak about the mental and physical impact of cancer has helped bring attention to an experience shared by many, yet still often surrounded by silence.
According to Cancer Research UK, chemotherapy can affect the body in numerous ways. While it works by targeting fast-dividing cancer cells, it can also impact healthy tissues — especially those in areas like the bone marrow, mouth, and skin — leading to side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and a weakened immune system. The good news is that healthy cells typically recover, and most side effects fade after treatment ends.
Kate’s recent remarks are a reminder that recovery is not always visible, and that healing often continues long after the last treatment session. Her story offers both hope and honesty — and a message that it’s okay to take things one day at a time.