'Loving and being loved' - The Princess of Wales Completes Cancer Treatment and Returns to Public Duties
Princess Catherine of Wales announced in a video message on Monday that she has completed chemotherapy as part of her fight against cancer and plans to return to limited public appearances in the coming months, The Guardian reports.
The palace released a three-minute video of William and the couple's three children walking and playing games. According to a Kensington Palace spokesperson, it was filmed last month on a beach in Norfolk.
In the video, Catherine said she was relieved that her course of preventative chemotherapy had ended after an ‘incredibly difficult’ and ‘terrifying’ nine months for both her and her family.
‘Now I'm focused on doing everything I can to stay cancer-free,’ she said.
The princess added that her ‘road to healing and full recovery is a long one, and I must continue to take each day as it comes.’
Doctors usually declare patients free of the disease if no cancer cells have been detected in the body for five years.
The princess's statement reads: ‘As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to finally complete my chemotherapy. The past nine months have been incredibly difficult for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we've had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and unknown road ahead.
The cancer journey is challenging, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. Along with humility, it also brings you face-to-face with your own vulnerabilities that you never thought you had before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.
Above all, this time has reminded William and me to think about the simple but important things in life that many of us often take for granted and to be grateful for them. Just to love and be loved.’
Princess Catherine revealed her cancer diagnosis in a video message to the nation in March. Her news came shortly after her father-in-law, King Charles, revealed that he was also being treated for cancer. The king has since resumed some public appearances.