Catherine’s remarkable resilience
Plus William’s unexpected pitstop and King Charles looks to the future
Hi everyone, it’s Emily here with The Royal Editor.
What a week! The Princess of Wales announced she is in remission after sharing more about her cancer journey on a visit to the hospital where she received treatment, Prince William drank cider with fellow Aston Villa fans in a Birmingham branch of Wetherspoons, and the King celebrated a very special anniversary with Sir Rod Stewart.
And what a difference a year makes. Exactly 12 months ago as I write, we learnt that Catherine had undergone abdominal surgery (we resent my reaction on the day earlier which you can listen to here) and would spend the next fortnight in hospital. Within 90 minutes of Kensington Palace’s announcement, another came from Buckingham Palace to say the King would undergo treatment for a benign enlarged prostate. The rest, thankfully, is history, for the Princess at least, who updated us on her health after making an “incredibly poignant” return to the Royal Marsden on Tuesday.
She was there to thank staff for the “exceptional” care they gave her during her many secret appointments. She was returning this time, not as a patient, but as the world-leading cancer centre’s new royal patron.
And it was clear, at every turn, just how much she has learnt from her experience.