Kate Middleton Is Still Finding a 'New Normal’ After Cancer Treatment

Princess Kate Middleton is reflecting on the aftermath of her cancer treatments after skipping the Royal Ascot last month.

“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” Kate, 43, said during a public appearance on Wednesday, July 2.

The Princess of Wales spent time in the restorative garden at the Colchester Hospital in Essex on Wednesday, where she spoke with patients and staff.

“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,” she continued, of this new phase in her life. “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 explained that it “takes time” to find a “new normal” once treatments come to an end.

“It’s a roller-coaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be,” she added. “But the reality is you go through hard times.”

Kate announced in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer and immediately stepped back from her public-facing duties while undergoing chemotherapy. By September of that year, Kate announced that she had completed her treatments.

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she shared at the time. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”

Kate explained to supporters that there would be a “long” road to recovery going forward. (She announced in January that she was officially in remission.)

“I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can,” she continued. “Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.”

In the months that followed, Kate returned to public duty. However, she made headlines last month after dropping out of an appearance at the Royal Ascot last minute in the wake of her recovery. Her husband, Prince William, attended alone alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla, instead.