Graceful Kate shows she’s stronger than ever in sweet display of family unity to reveal end of chemo, say royal experts
PRINCESS Kate’s heartwarming video alongside her supportive family shows she is stronger than ever, royal experts have claimed.
The mum-of-three, 42, spoke of her “relief” after finishing her treatment, adding that the last nine months have been “incredibly tough”.
In the touching video, Kate bravely told how she is continuing “to take each day as it comes” following the news.
Since her shock cancer diagnosis in March, Kate stepped out of the spotlight so she could fully recover.
Now, royal expert Ingrid Seward has said she believes the Princess of Wales will “come back stronger than ever” following her health battle.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, she said: ” I think that mentally she might be back stronger than ever, because she’s got one over this illness.
“I don’t think you ever really get over it, but she’s got over the first hurdle of this illness and this will give her a lot of mental strength.
“I think it’s been extremely tough for her, because she wouldn’t say it was tough unless she meant it, because she doesn’t complain.
“So I think that she will become even more iconic than she is now.”
Meanwhile, royal author and journalist Robert Jobson told The Sun that Kate was a “graceful and courageous” lady.
He said: “I think it’s very important as she’s the glue, if you like, of the royal family.
“She’s a graceful and courageous lady, who, I think has shown that she will continue to do her duty.
“She’s much-loved across the country and rightly so.
“Kate’s shown great courage by sharing her health problems with the wider public when she didn’t have to.
“I think people really do respect her and revealing her cancer diagnosis further showed her humanity and humility.”
And he praised the Princess of Wales for not just battling through her own issues but also being a beacon of hope for others.
Jobson added: “I think that she’s obviously thinking not only of herself, but of other people that are going through what she’s been going through and worse.
“It shows that Kate really knows her own vulnerabilities and she just wants to make others know that they’re not alone.
In the video released today, Kate spoke of her relief as she lay her head on William’s shoulder.
And the Waleses can also be seen enjoying a picnic and playing games with the Middletons in the Norfolk-filmed clip.
Royal expert Seward said the happy pictures were “very relatable” and showed Kate’s bravery.
She said: “I thought it was lovely, really inside and homely and relatable.
“She is the most popular member of the royal family, and I think this will make her even more popular because people can really relate to her, especially those that are sufferers as well.”
Kate also told how “doing what I can to stay cancer free” was now her focus as she revealed the road to recovery is still long.
But she said she was “looking forward” to being back at work and taking on a few more public engagements in the coming months.
Princess Kate's statement in full
PRINCESS Kate revealed on Monday that she is now cancer free after completing chemotherapy.
In a statement she said: “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.”
It is also understood she will join her family at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday as she slowly returns to public duties.
This will include light duties later in the year, as well as planning her her annual carol service.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed Kate had started a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February.
It was also announced she would not be returning to public duties for the foreseeable future.
As she began “making good progress”, the princess was strong enough to stand with the rest of her family at Trooping the Colour in June.
And in July she was welcomed with a standing ovation at the men’s Wimbledon final, where she appeared with daughter Princess Charlotte.
It still remains unclear what type of cancer Kate was battling.
It comes as the Prince and Princess of Wales – along with Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – are said to have spent the summer break at their Norfolk country home Anmer Hall.
Last month Kate was spotted heading to church with Prince William and Prince George up at Balmoral in Scotland.
William once told me a secret about relationship with Kate
By Arthur Edwards
WOW! In 40 years of covering the Royal Family I have never seen anything like Catherine’s video.
It’s a first for the royals and these wonderful three minutes of footage brings home just how grateful this young family are that their mum is over the worst.
Finally, after nearly six months of chemotherapy, Catherine is looking forward to being cancer-free.
And joy and relief for the royal couple and their amazing children oozes from every frame.
Once William told me the reason he and Kate took their time getting engaged was because he wanted to make sure his marriage would last forever.
Watching Kate snuggle into her husband’s shoulder as they sat on a pile of logs in the pine woods at Holkham beach, in Norfolk, says to me that they are still very much in love.
Maybe even more so now than in 2011 when I photographed them kissing — twice — on the Buckingham Palace balcony after their wedding.
And I am sure following the toughest few months of their 13-year marriage it will last forever.
Because they have survived the dark days — and they have a bright future to look forward to.
You see a family celebrating, as Catherine says in her voiceover, the simple things in life — stuff that ordinary families do when they are together.
Picnicking, playing cards, having fun and laughter — running into the sea with your clothes on, not a care in the world.
The spot they picked to record the video last month is a firm favourite with the royals, who used to have a summer house there. It is where I photographed the Queen Mum walking her dogs along the shore. And for this next generation of royals that spot will have many happy memories — especially for the children who will always remember this was where they learned that their Mama was getting better.
In 1969, Prince Philip persuaded the Queen to allow cameras to follow them and the children in what was a groundbreaking documentary.
Back then, the royals seemed stilted and a bit remote — a family with a life that most of their subjects could not even imagine.
But here Catherine, William, George, Charlotte and young Louis are a normal family with the same problems the rest of us have to go through.
The kids look so happy that Kate is well and getting slowly back to work, back to the school run and all those things that mothers do but we take for granted.
In the video, she goes on to say simply loving and being loved is so important in life.
With Catherine and the King both having treatment, it shows that cancer doesn’t care who you are — whether a sovereign, a princess or a pauper, this disease is a lottery.
Like millions of families, I know that when you lose someone close who you dearly love from this terrible illness, it’s heartbreaking.
But Catherine has shown the world that you can survive cancer if you catch it early.
I have certainly missed photographing Her Royal Highness on royal engagements this year.
And I am sure William cannot wait to have her back by his side when they travel at home and abroad.
The last time I took Catherine’s picture was at Trooping the Colour in June when she appeared in the carriage and on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
This beautiful woman is one of the brightest stars in the Royal Family.
Everything she does is followed throughout the world and she gets more publicity than any other royal.
In this incredible video, Kate looks happy and well but obviously she’s not completely ready for full-time work.
Bear in mind she will be doing this work for the rest of her life and there will be no retirement for her.
So it’s in everybody’s interest that the Princess gets fully fit before she goes properly back to work.
I, for one, am happy to wait however long it takes — even if she won’t be back at work properly until Remembrance Sunday or even Christmas for her magical carol service at Westminster Abbey.
But when winter is not far away, seeing this lovely family so happy and blessed in the Norfolk sunshine should cheer us all up — and give the country hope for the future.