Kate Middleton has spoken candidly about her “rollercoaster” battle with cancer, reflecting on both her treatment and the difficult phase that followed.

The Princess of Wales first revealed her diagnosis in March 2024 after weeks of speculation about her absence from public life. In an emotional video message at the time, she shared:

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”

She also spoke movingly about the challenge of explaining her illness to her children. “It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be okay,” she said.

In September 2024, Kate confirmed that she had completed her treatment, and by January 2025, she was able to share the encouraging news that she was in remission.

Since then, the 43-year-old has returned to royal duties slowly and carefully, with aides stressing that she is listening to her body and taking time to recover fully. “She’s being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life,” said Queen Elizabeth’s former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson.

Recently, Kate chose a meaningful setting for one of her first public engagements: a hospital garden in Essex. There, she opened up about how difficult it was to find her footing once chemotherapy had ended.

“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment,” she said. “Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult. You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to. And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”

Kate admitted that the aftermath was harder than she expected. “You have to find your new normal, and that takes time. And it’s a roller coaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times.”

She also shared how much solace she found in nature during her recovery, explaining that spending time outdoors was where she felt most “at peace.”