Kate Middleton makes main public look hours after Kensington Palace assertion
Princess Kate joined the King and Queen at a reception celebrating 125 years of Cancer Research UK, where she spoke with high-profile supporters about the charity’s vital work in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment
Princess Kate attended a reception for Cancer Research UK(Image: Getty)
The Princess of Wales accompanied the King and Queen to mark 125 years of Cancer Research UK last night. Catherine, whose presence at the occasion was confirmed by Kensington Palace just hours beforehand, joined the royal pair to honour the charity’s essential work in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer.
Prominent backers of the charity, including Davina McCall, Hannah Fry, Adele Roberts and Roman and Storm Keating, were present and spoke with the royal trio. Following their handshake, Ms McCall expressed to Catherine that it was an “absolute honour” to meet her.
The duo then spoke about Ms McCall’s cancer experience, with the TV host telling the princess it had been “liberating” to discuss her own battle with cancer openly.
Speaking later, the television presenter described her conversation with the Princess of Wales at the Cancer Research UK reception as “really wonderful”.
Ms McCall told the Press Association: “It was a really wonderful exchange, and they (the King, Queen and princess) are all wonderful. I can’t imagine what it must be like having going through something like cancer, and then sort of having to tell people about it, when possibly it would have been much easier and nicer to not have to share it with the world.”, reports the Express. “And I’ve got to say, after my brain tumour, I didn’t massively want to have to do that myself.”
She subsequently added: “But it really helped me get through it by sharing it, and other people relating, or feeling like I could help.” Ms McCall underwent an operation in 2024 to remove a benign brain tumour. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of the previous year and had surgery to remove a lump, but announced in April that she had received the “all clear”.
The princess, donning a red polka dot midi dress by Rodarte complete with a detachable flower charm, also engaged in conversation with the widower of ‘bowel babe’ Dame Deborah James, who was recognised by the Prince of Wales for her remarkable fundraising efforts and campaigning despite battling incurable bowel cancer.
Dame Deborah was bestowed the honour by the future king in May 2022 during a special ceremony at her parents’ home, mere weeks before her passing. Her husband, Sebastian Bowen, expressed to the Princess, “I’ve been thinking about you guys a lot.”
Catherine commended Deborah for the “impact of her work” and listened as Mr Bowen described how it had been “bittersweet” to exceed fundraising goals for research and clinical trials into the disease, something his wife had aspired to achieve.
He also seemed to express gratitude to William for a compassionate conversation he reportedly had with the couple’s two children. To this, the princess responded: “He’s good like that.”
The princess holds a personal connection to the charity, having been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer at the beginning of 2024 and undergoing six months of chemotherapy.
Now in remission, she has returned to a regular programme of royal engagements and last month got back to overseas travel by undertaking a solo trip to Italy as part of her early years work.
The King, who remains under treatment for cancer, having been diagnosed with the condition just weeks before the princess, held the event at St James’s Palace on Tuesday evening in honour of Cancer Research UK, of which he serves as patron.
He continues to keep a packed diary, having recently completed a high-profile journey to the US, as he draws energy from his duties.
The event celebrated the organisation’s 125th anniversary year and the royal trio encountered researchers, medics, volunteers and partners involved in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer during the evening reception.
They were also presented with interactive displays highlighting the charity’s efforts and visual demonstrations of how technological advances are revolutionising research into the illness.
Charles, Camilla and Catherine were also accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, with the duke serving as a joint president of the charity.
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