On June 15 last year, Kate, The Princess of Wales, demonstrated remarkable resilience at Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the sovereign’s birthday, despite undergoing chemotherapy. She wore a formal hat and waved with her signature grace, concealing a port in her chest used for administering treatments such as chemotherapy.
A port is a medical device used to draw blood and deliver treatments, including intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, or drugs like chemotherapy and antibiotics.
New details have emerged about the severity of Kate’s 2024 health battle, with claims she is “fortunate” to have survived. Until now, the extent of her fight remained largely undisclosed, with Kensington Palace maintaining silence on the type of cancer she faced. It was only in January that the public learned she had been a patient at Chelsea’s Royal Marsden Hospital.
During a January visit to the hospital, Kate spoke about the “secrecy” of her treatment and her many discreet visits. Despite appearing perfectly composed at Trooping in 2024, she was reportedly enduring immense challenges privately.
According to the Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English, Kate was “seriously unwell” before undergoing major abdominal surgery in January. Post-surgery tests revealed cancer, leading to chemotherapy. English reports that Kate had a semi-permanent port inserted in her chest, a critical lifeline for her treatment, which carried no guarantee of success.
Six months after her diagnosis, Kate and her family released a heartfelt video announcing the completion of her treatment, emphasizing the healing power of family and nature. English notes that Kate’s recovery is remarkable, given the severity of her illness.
Last week, Kate’s last-minute withdrawal from Ascot caused “chaos” and “panic” within the palace, raising concerns among staff. A source told English that the incident underscores the seriousness of her illness and the lengthy recovery process. Another source described the event as a “wake-up call,” indicating Kate is reevaluating her life after a “horrific” period.
Kate is expected to scale back public appearances significantly for the rest of the year. She is likely to attend Wimbledon, starting June 30, and the French state visit in July, but her schedule may remain light. An overseas tour is unlikely, and her attendance at Prince William’s Earthshot Prize awards in Rio de Janeiro in November is uncertain.
As English reported, Kate has “been to hell and back.” Her recovery journey remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for resuming her pre-cancer workload. For now, she is set for a restful summer in Norfolk and Scotland, focusing on recovery and family.
