London —
Catherine, Princess of Wales, shared a deeply personal video message on Wednesday, , marking World Cancer Day. The Princess spoke candidly about her experience with cancer and offered a message of hope and solidarity to those currently facing a diagnosis.
Kate, 44, is now in remission after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago. In her message, she emphasized that a cancer journey is not linear, acknowledging the “moments of fear and exhaustion” alongside “moments of strength, kindness and profound connection.” She extended her thoughts to “everyone who’s facing a cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment or finding their way through recovery,” assuring them that “you are not alone.”
The Princess’s message was accompanied by footage from a visit last year to the London hospital where she received treatment. She later returned to The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Chelsea in early 2025, where she met with medical teams and spoke to patients. This visit, and the resulting video, served as a visual accompaniment to her words, underscoring the importance of care and support throughout the cancer journey.
The Princess’s openness comes at a time when the Royal Family has been publicly navigating health challenges. Just a day prior to Catherine’s message, King Charles also shared his own statement for World Cancer Day. He spoke of being “profoundly moved” by “the community of care that surrounds every cancer patient,” and praised the dedication of specialists, nurses, researchers, and volunteers.
King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, revealed in December 2025 that his treatment was set to be reduced due to “early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctor’s orders.’” He described this milestone as “a personal blessing” and highlighted “the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years.”
The coordinated messages from both the Princess of Wales and King Charles underscore the Royal Family’s commitment to raising awareness about cancer and supporting those affected by the disease. Catherine’s statement specifically emphasized the importance of “care, understanding and hope” on World Cancer Day, framing the day as a reminder of the collective effort needed to combat cancer and provide support to patients and their families.
The Princess’s decision to share her personal experience is particularly noteworthy given her public role. Her openness is likely to resonate with many who have been touched by cancer, offering a message of hope and resilience. While the details of her cancer diagnosis and treatment remain private, her willingness to speak out demonstrates a commitment to destigmatizing the disease and encouraging others to seek support.
The timing of these messages, coinciding with World Cancer Day, is a deliberate effort to amplify the conversation around cancer and highlight the ongoing need for research, funding, and compassionate care. The Royal Family’s involvement is expected to further raise the profile of cancer awareness initiatives and encourage individuals to prioritize their health and well-being.
CNN anchor Sara Sidner also publicly disclosed her own battle with stage three breast cancer in January 2024, while reporting on the war between Israel and Hamas. Sidner, co-anchor of “CNN News Central,” revealed she had no family history of the disease, and hadn’t smoked or drank, yet still received a stage three diagnosis. She began chemotherapy treatments in the months leading up to her public announcement, and has been open about her journey, becoming an inspiration to many.
The shared experiences of public figures like Catherine, King Charles, and Sara Sidner serve as a powerful reminder of the widespread impact of cancer and the importance of continued efforts to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
