Princess of Wales leaves heartfelt message to ‘all those that have misplaced their lives to most cancers’ at charity set up as she recovers from her personal battle

The Princess of Wales made a poignant visit to an ‘incredibly special’ art installation dedicated to those who have lost their lives to cancer on Saturday evening.

A touching video shared on the royal’s social media account showed her being taken around the Ever After Garden, in Chelsea, West London, which raises funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Supporters can dedicate one of the more than 30,000 illuminated white roses in memory of those who have lost their lives to the disease.

The charity is especially close to Princess Catherine’s heart after she was given preventative chemotherapy by doctors at the Royal Marsden following her own cancer diagnosis in 2024 after abdominal surgery. She announced in January that she was now in remission. 

Posting from her Instagram account, the Princess of Wales said: ‘Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Ever After Garden, which raises vital funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

‘Every flower, every light, is a memory held together, an illumination of shared love, remembrance, and hope.’

A close-up of a message hand-written by the royal and planted into the ground read: ‘In loving memory of all those who have lost their lives to cancer. C.’ 

Since first opening in 2019, the Ever After Garden, designed by Anya Hindmarch, has raised more than £1.2 million for the hospital charity. 

The Royal Marsden responded with a statement on social media, adding that the garden provides an opportunity for ‘quiet reflection’.

It said: ‘Thank you to Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, for such a moving visit to the Ever After Garden today. 

‘The garden is an incredibly special place for so many, and we were so glad to share it with The Princess. 

‘We know the festive period can be a time of mixed emotions for many and that the opportunity to take a moment for quiet reflection and remember those we love who are no longer with us, is so important.’

The art installation, located in Duke of York Square, is free to visit until Tuesday, December 16.

Royal fans have been swift to praise the Princess of Wales for bringing attention to the charity installation. 

One said: ‘This is so wonderful thank you for coming. Your visit will have had the most profound impact.’

Another wrote: ‘This garden is wonderful, a place of reflection and love for those who are no longer here.’

Kate’s heartfelt visit comes as King Charles was said to be ‘deeply touched’ by the ‘positive reaction’ to his recent video message after he announced his cancer treatment would be significantly scaled back in the New Year.

His Majesty revealed the latest information in an unprecedented video message on Friday evening. 

The King previously shared he had been diagnosed with the disease in February 2024 after being admitted to hospital for an enlarged prostate. 

Since his diagnosis 22 months ago, Charles said his recent ‘good news’ was thanks to an early diagnosis, successful care, as well as following ‘doctors’ orders’. 

And while Buckingham Palace did not use the word ‘remission’, it said the monarch had responded to his treatment ‘exceptionally well’. 

Although he will continue to receive treatment for the foreseeable future, it will be ‘significantly reduced’ and moved into a ‘precautionary phase’. 

Meanwhile, veteran broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby praised the King, saying his plea for the nation to get cancer screening ‘will save lives’.

The Palace said it was ‘most grateful’ for the kind comments for the King from ‘both those working in cancer care and from the general public’.

A Palace spokesperson added that it was ‘delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction’. 

The spokesperson said: ‘I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated.

‘He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programmes.

‘It has long been the King’s view that if some public good can come from sharing elements of his personal diagnosis and treatment journey, then it would be his pleasure and duty to do so.

‘His thoughts and warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer and those who care for them.’

In a notable break from tradition, the monarch decided to share his health update in a pre-recorded message as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer yesterday.

He had been asked to lend his support for a new online screening tool, which is backed by Cancer Research UK, the charity of which he is royal patron. 

His Majesty agreed, particularly keen to raise awareness as he was ‘troubled’ to learn nine million people were missing cancer screenings available to them.

As someone who has benefited from having his own cancer picked up at an early stage, Charles described it as nine million ‘missed opportunities’ for earlier diagnosis. 

‘This is a season when our thoughts turn to celebrations with our friends and families. In the midst of this festive period,’ he said.

‘I just wanted to ask you to join me today in finding a special place in your hearts, and your minds and prayers for the hundreds of thousands of people across our United Kingdom who receive a cancer diagnosis each year – and for the millions more who love and care for them.

‘I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.

‘Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.

‘I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment.

‘Indeed, today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year.

‘This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50 per cent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.’