Princess Kate has made her first solo public engagement for more than a year – and it was an especially poignant outing for the mother-of-three as she returned to the hospital that treated her

The Princess of Wales has paid a poignant visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, the very same facility where she received treatment for cancer.

Making her first solo public engagement for more than a year, the future Queen took the opportunity to personally thank the staff for their exceptional care, support and compassion over the past year, as well as to show her support to those currently going through treatment.

Walking through the front revolving door, she said: “Coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it’s quite nice.”

Talking to a patient who has just started chemotherapy, Kate described the affects on family as being ‘really, really tough’. “The treatments are really so different and so varied, It impacts families differently,” she said.

The Princess of Wales at the Royal Marsden Hospital today ( 
Image:
Russell Myers/ Reach PLC)

When one patient told her, “I think you’ve managed the children amazingly well,” Kate replied, “It’s just trying to do the best…”

Talking about her own journey, she continued: “You think treatment is finished, crack on with that… daily tasks… but that’s still a real challenge. And understanding that as a patient, yes, there are side effects around treatment, but actually there are more long term side effects.”

Kate announced that she had completed her own chemotherapy treatment at the end of last summer, having been diagnosed with the disease in February. Doctors made the cancer diagnosis after she spent two weeks at The London Clinic in Marylebone following abdominal surgery.

After announcing a leave of absence from royal life, Kate, 43, managed to make public appearances at the King’s official birthday in London, Trooping the Colour in London, and joined her sister Pippa and daughter Princess Charlotte at the Wimbledon Championships last June.

She looks set to make a return to official duties over the coming months. But Kensington Palace was keen to stress that the guidance around the Princess’ return to public facing engagements hasn’t changed and would continue to be gradual. Her visit to the Marsden was so she could reflect on her own personal journey.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.”

The visit marked Kate’s first official engagement alone since returning to work after cancer treatment ( 
Image:
Russell Myers/ Reach PLC)
During the visit, the mother-of-three met with staff and patients who are currently receiving treatment.

It has also been announced that the Princess is joining her husband Prince William as joint Royal Patron of the Royal Marsden.

The Royal Marsden is a research active cancer centre and plays an important role in helping advance cancer treatment for others in the UK and around the world. In her role as joint Royal Patron, Kensington Palace said the Princess is looking forward to supporting The Marsden’s work in advancing cancer research, treatment, and care as well as learning more about how it can benefit patients in the future.

It comes after a royal insider reiterated that fans will have to have patience when it comes to seeing Kate on a more regular basis. A source told the Daily Mail : “There is no huge reset button that’s going to be hit in January. What we will actually see is a slow continuation of the Princess balancing her recovery and her public-facing duties, as she outlined back in September [when she warned her recovery was still ongoing despite having completed her chemotherapy].

“Cancer impacts on your perspective, and what you have seen in the decisions they have made over the last year is that family and their children continue to be at the centre of their universe. Both Their Royal Highnesses have a strong commitment to duty, service and using their platform for good. But what they are working on is ways they can balance themselves as parents with being the Prince and Princess of Wales.”