Yahoo News A Timeline of Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
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Kate Middleton has had a tumultuous health year: the Princess of Wales had major abdominal surgery in January and was diagnosed with cancer soon after. In September, the Palace shared she had finished chemotherapy in a moving, intimate video of the Wales family (watch above).
Kensington Palace did not specify when Kate learned she had cancer, only saying she was made aware of the diagnosis "once post-operative tests had been completed and results reviewed."
Here, a full timeline of the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis and treatment:
January 16: Kate undergoes planned abdominal surgery.
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Kensington Palace publicly shared the news of her surgery a day later. "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery," Kensington Palace said in a statement. "The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."
They added, "The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private." At the time, it was understood her surgery was not cancerous.
January 29: Kate is discharged from the London Clinic.
After thirteen days in the hospital, Kate was discharged. (Coincidentally, on the same day King Charles was discharged from the same hospital.)
"The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress," Kensington Palace said in a statement. "The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided. The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world."
She began recuperating at home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
Sometime in February: Kate begins chemotherapy treatment.
Following her surgery, post-operative tests found cancer, and at some point in late February, Kate began "a course of preventative chemotherapy," according to a Palace spokesperson.
"The surgery was successful," Kate later shared in a video message. "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. This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family."
March 22: Kensington Palace announces Kate has cancer, and releases personal message from the Princess.
News of Kate's cancer diagnosis was made public in March, along with a video message from the Princess (watch above). The Palace said they will not be sharing what type of cancer Kate has. "The Princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do," a Palace spokesperson said.
The Palace has not shared a specific timeline regarding Kate's recovery, end to her chemotherapy treatment, or when she could return to her public duties. In her message, Kate said, "My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."
A day after Kate's diagnosis was made public, Will and Kate thanked the public for their well wishes. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said in a statement, "The Prince and Princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness' message. They are extremely moved by the public's warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time."
April 29: Kate and William celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Kensington Palace shared a never-before-seen picture of the couple from their wedding day, taken by photographer Millie Pilkington (who just photographed King Charles and Queen Camilla for their 19th wedding anniversary). "So excited and honored that they should wish to share it," Pilkington wrote on Instagram.
May 20: Kensington Palace gives an update on Kate's work.
Kensington Palace gave an update on the Princess of Wales's business task force, and a spokesperson said she was "excited" about the developments. However, the spokesperson added, "This should not be seen or reported on as Her Royal Highness returning to work. The work of The Prince and Princess’ projects is ‘always on,’ and that has been no different for the Centre over the past five months with a great deal of progress being made…Early childhood is a huge priority for the Princess and so she has been kept fully updated throughout the development of the Taskforce’s work and she has seen the report."
A senior royal aide also said "she will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors," but what that "green light" looks like is as yet unclear. The Palace has not provided any specific timeline for Kate's return to royal duties.
June 11: Kensington Palace denies rumors Kate is receiving treatment in Houston.
After online speculation emerged that the Princess of Wales was receiving cancer treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, a Palace spokesperson denied the rumors to the Houston Chronicle.
June 14: Kate releases new message about her health: "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months."
In the first major update since sharing the news of her cancer diagnosis, Kate penned a letter about her health. "I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days," Kate wrote. "On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well."
The Princess continued, "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home." She also shared that she has begun to work from home.
June 15: Kate attends Trooping the Colour 2024.
Kate made her first public appearance of 2024 at Trooping the Colour, riding in a carriage with her children and then appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony. For the occasion, she wore a black and white Jenny Packham dress and a Philip Treacy hat. Kensington Palace made clear that her appearance does not signify anything about her return to work.
July 14: Kate goes to the Wimbledon men's finals.
In her second appearance of the year, Kate attended the men's finals with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister, Pippa Middleton. For the occasion, she wore a purple Safiyaa dress, accessorizing with By Pariah hoop earrings, a L.K. Bennett handbag, and Camilla Elphick pumps.
Before the tournament, Wimbledon organizers were hopeful that the Princess—who serves as the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club—would be able to present the trophies to the winners. "Her health and recovery is the priority," AELTC chair Debbie Jevans said. Though she was at the men's finals, the Princess did not attend the women's finals. Jevans, instead, presented the winner's trophy to Barbora Krejčíková.
August 25: Kate attends church near Balmoral.
On Sunday, August 25, the Princess made her third appearance of 2024, joining other members of the royal family heading to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, a small church near Balmoral. She was pictured in the front seat of a Range Rover driven by Prince William.
September 9: Kate announces she is cancer free.
The Princess finished her course of preventative chemotherapy, Kensington Palace announced on September 9. The news was accompanied by a three minute long video of Kate and her family, filmed in Norfolk last month. "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can," Kate said. She will make a slow and gradual return to work.
October 10: Kate carries out her first engagement since finishing chemotherapy.
Kate joined Prince William in a visit to Southport to meet with the community following the tragic killings there in July. It was her first public engagement since she announced she had completed chemotherapy.
November 9 & 10: The Princess attends Remembrance events.
In a slow return to public duties, Kate joined other royals at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, and the following day at Remembrance Sunday. Kate hasn't missed the National Service of Remembrance since she became a working royal—and 2024, despite her health challenges, was no exception.
December 6: Kate hosts her annual Christmas Carol service.
For the fourth year in a row, the Princess hosted a carol service at Westminster Abbey. This year's theme was a nod, perhaps, to Kate's challenging year. The Princess "wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need – individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive," Kensington Palace shared.
As Kate wrote in a letter to guests, "This Carol Service is a heartfelt celebration of every one of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other. Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light."
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