Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been the subject of global support and public interest following her disclosure of a cancer diagnosis in early 2024. Widely respected for her role in the British royal family and her advocacy in mental health and early childhood development, Princess Catherine chose to share her personal health journey in a direct message to the public.
This article summarizes only the confirmed and verified facts about Princess Catherine’s health—based entirely on official announcements and reports from trusted news and medical sources.
March 2024: Public Announcement of Cancer Diagnosis
On March 22, 2024, Kensington Palace released a video message from Princess Catherine. In this message, she revealed that she had undergone abdominal surgery in January 2024, and although the condition was initially believed to be non-cancerous, post-operative tests identified cancer. Following the diagnosis, her doctors recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy, medically recognized as adjuvant chemotherapy, to help ensure all remaining cancer cells were treated.
“It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them,” she shared in her video.
Source: BBC News – Princess Catherine Announces Cancer Diagnosis
Treatment and Support
Princess Catherine began her treatment privately in February 2024, supported by Prince William and their children. No further medical details—such as the type of cancer or the duration of treatment—were disclosed, in line with the royal family’s long-standing practice of medical privacy.
King Charles III, who was also undergoing cancer treatment during this time, expressed pride in Princess Catherine’s courage and offered his full support. The royal family has emphasized that health updates will only be shared when significant developments occur.
Source: The Guardian – Royal Family Health Updates
January 2025: A Visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital
In January 2025, Princess Catherine made her first public appearance since announcing her diagnosis by visiting The Royal Marsden Hospital in London. The visit was part of her longstanding role as a patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
During the visit, she met with medical staff and cancer patients, personally thanking the hospital team that had supported her and many others during their treatment journeys.
Source: Royal.uk – The Princess of Wales Visits The Royal Marsden
Easter 2025: Prioritizing Recovery and Family Time
During the Easter holiday in April 2025, Princess Catherine and Prince William did not attend the royal family’s traditional Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Instead, they spent time privately with their children at their Norfolk residence.
Kensington Palace did not release a specific statement about this decision, which is consistent with the royal family’s approach to personal matters. No official reports have indicated a change in her health status at that time.
Source: E! News – William and Kate Skip Royal Easter Service
Clarifying Misinformation
In April 2025, some unverified social media rumors claimed that Princess Catherine had been hospitalized again. However, there have been no official statements from Kensington Palace or credible UK media confirming any emergency health developments. Leading fact-checking organizations such as Reuters and Full Fact UK have emphasized that these claims should not be treated as credible unless substantiated by official sources.
Sources:
- Reuters Fact Check
- Full Fact UK
Ongoing Charitable Efforts
Although she has paused most public engagements during her recovery, Princess Catherine’s charitable initiatives remain active. Notably, the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she helped establish in 2021, continues its mission of improving long-term outcomes for children under five.
She has also been closely associated with Heads Together, a campaign that tackles mental health stigma, and is expected to return to her patronage roles when she is ready.
Source: The Royal Foundation – Early Childhood
Summary: What Has Been Officially Confirmed
- Abdominal surgery in January 2024 led to a cancer diagnosis, confirmed by Princess Catherine in March 2024.
- She began preventative chemotherapy in February 2024.
- She visited The Royal Marsden Hospital in January 2025, thanking medical staff and supporting cancer patients.
- She did not attend the Easter 2025 service, choosing instead to spend time privately with family.
- There are no official reports confirming further hospitalizations or changes in her health condition since the last public update.
- Kensington Palace has reaffirmed its commitment to providing updates only when appropriate.
Conclusion
Princess Catherine’s health journey has been marked by transparency, courage, and grace. Her March 2024 announcement offered the public a rare glimpse into the private challenges she faced, and her January 2025 hospital visit highlighted her commitment to health care causes even amid personal recovery.
At a time when misinformation can spread rapidly, it is essential to rely only on official statements and reputable media for updates on the health of public figures. As of now, no new developments beyond those shared publicly by the Palace and major news outlets have been confirmed.
