Kate Middleton cancer crisis: Princess of Wales gives chemotherapy update in new family video

The Princess of Wales has finished her course of chemotherapy, she revealed yesterday.

Catherine said she planned to undertake a ‘light programme’ of engagements over the coming months, but warned it will be a slow return to full public duties.

In a deeply personal video, the princess said her nine-month cancer fight had been a “scary and unpredictable” time for her family.

She said the experience had reminded her and Prince William to “reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved”.

Her voiceover message accompanied a three-minute video showing the couple in Norfolk with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Shot last month, the intimate film shows the family as never before: playing happily on the beach and in the woods near their Anmer Hall home, William and Catherine entwined on a blanket, hugging their children – and even kissing.

Referring to her plans for the coming months, Catherine said: “Doing what I can to stay cancer- free is now my focus. 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.”

As she speaks, the video shows her smiling and releasing a butterfly to emphasise her metamorphosis from the dark days of her initial diagnosis to the optimism she feels today.

The film is one of the most intimate pieces of footage ever shot of senior members of the Royal Family and starts with the Wales family – including their dog Orla – skipping through the woods for a game of cricket.

It was created by professional film-maker Will Warr, who has worked with the couple previously.

Catherine can be seen in a £595 ($1170) floral Veronica Beard dress driving her Range Rover through the countryside and walking reflectively though a forest.

Other scenes, which have been shot in an old-fashioned cine film style, see the family walking hand in hand through a cornfield and the prince and princess – normally reticent about public displays of affection – cuddling, hands entwined, in several different locations, including lying on a blanket on the beach.

William even plants a soft kiss on his wife’s head.

Their children feature heavily: the princess can be seen pushing Louis, six, on a garden swing given to them by “Grandpa Wales”, King Charles, while all three laughingly climb a pile of logs, play cards with their parents at a picnic and even put their faces up to the camera.

“Is this filming?” asks George as his siblings shout “Hello!”

The setting of the footage is deeply symbolic, highlighting the strength Catherine has drawn from her family and loved ones and from spending time on the things which bring her joy, particularly the comfort she has found in the natural world.

It also shows a glimpse inside their “sanctuary”, Anmer Hall, playing a card game with her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who have also been a tower of emotional and practical strength over the past year.

Last month the Mail exclusively revealed that Catherine planned to attend Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in November, which was confirmed by the Palace yesterday.

Sources emphasise that while the princess is looking forward to undertaking a “handful” of public engagements over the coming months, her focus firmly remains on being “cancer-free” and her journey to full recovery will be “long”.

Catherine’s programme of engagements will be “light”, focusing on some of the causes, issues and charities closest to her heart over the coming months.

They are likely to be announced only at the last minute as they will depend on how Catherine is feeling, with sources stressing repeatedly that every “cancer journey is different” and her plans could change at short notice.

She will not accompany William to his Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town in November as she wants to remain in the UK to support her young family.

However, she has already started to work from home on “passion projects”, such as her “early childhood” programme, and will continue to do so for the rest of the year.

It is also understood she is working with staff on plans for her annual carol concert in December.

The princess was admitted to hospital in January for what has been described only as planned abdominal surgery.

It was later discovered by doctors that cancer had been present and she embarked on her treatment in late February, announcing the news personally the following month.

While there is no official statement from Buckingham Palace, which wanted the focus of yesterday’s announcement to be on the princess’s own words, the King – who is still undertaking his own cancer treatment – and Queen are understood to have greeted the announcement as “wonderful news” and will continue to offer all love, thoughts and support to the princess on her path to full recovery.

Catherine was keen to explain in her own words about her experiences over the past nine months and how she feels as she looks to the future. Her video message is understood to reflect where she is on her “recovery journey” and was released yesterday as her children are back at school and the Royal Family is looking forward to the start of its own “new term”.

It is notable that the princess has chosen to personally address the public rather than release a generic statement, emphasising her growing confidence and determination to emphasise just how deeply difficult this year has been for herself, her husband, children and extended family.

Cancer charities were quick to welcome the news and praise the princess’s openness.

Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We’re grateful to the princess for being so open about her experience, as this will no doubt give hope to many others going through similar experiences, and encourage more open conversations about the impact cancer can have on people’s lives.”

Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, added: “It will benefit many people living with cancer to see her come through this treatment and share this video ... as the princess said, the cancer journey is complex and a lot of people can find it tough when they end their cancer treatment and return to work.

“Your family, friends and work colleagues might think you are back to normal, but the person who has just been through it all can still feel vulnerable and in need of a lot of support.”

Her touching words in full

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.

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.

The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.

With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.

This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.

Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus.

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.

Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.

William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time.

Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.

Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright.”