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MP's avatar

I thought it was a lovely visit and liked how candid and open she was about her journey. It’s so hard to do it in the public eye and also to worry about her young children and how all of it affects them. She looked lovely, she’s a beautiful woman but you can see the toll that this year has taken on her. I wish her nothing but health and happy days.

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Audrey's avatar

I agree-you can see how much she’s changed. As a cancer survivor myself everything she said rang very true. That first year after treatment is when you really realize and have to make peace with the fact that you’re not going to go back to the way things were, and you have to figure out how to handle recurrence fear and triggers. While I hate that this happened to her it has been really reassuring, if that’s the right word, to know that even for her it’s been hard.

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Eva's avatar

Thanks for sharing this, Audrey. I wish you all the best!

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Valerie's avatar

The toll on her children is what I often think about. I understand and appreciate how William and Catherine have put them front and center in their lives. I have personal experience of being told that my mother was very very ill and how it affected me. Every time she was late coming home, every time she said she wasn't feeling very well, my father trying to be brave . . . Being constantly worried that I might make her upset and cause her to become sicker, or not to get better. I look back now and see how the trauma affected me. When I see the Wales children laughing and being comfortable in public I am so deeply glad. I wish William and Catherine every good wish but I also wish their children happy lives too.

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Eva's avatar

Thanks for sharing your story, Valerie. I also think of their kids very often. It must be really hard for a mother to juggle coming to terms with such an ordeal and at the same time be present and supportive of her children who also face their own turmoil.

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MP's avatar

I agree with both of you. My children are the same ages as Charlotte and Louis and I often thought about how this must affect all three of them. They seem to be happy and well balanced with a very typical siblings dynamics. It’s so hard at such a young age to see your mom not feeling well, tired, maybe snappy and overall not herself. William said this was the hardest year of his life, I do think it brought them closer together and he is even more protective of Catherine and the children than ever.

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Ethel's avatar

I think the past year has left a big mark on William he is good now but in my view I think he has aged significantly none of them could have come through this unmarked

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Mary Elizabeth Jones's avatar

My warrant guesses: Kiki McDonough and the woman who made her coronation headdress

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Sarah Eriksen's avatar

1st warrant will be As Ever, surely?

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LilMacWhy's avatar

I almost spit out my own spit. Hilarious.

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Donna Sakabu's avatar

😂

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Eva's avatar

And a promo video with K and W spreading scones with the out-of-stock jam.

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Diane's avatar

Now that's funny!

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LilMacWhy's avatar

It’s remarkable to see her speak so openly about the emotional toll of recovery - and to do so with such grace and composure. I think it’s so important for all of us to hear, in clear and honest terms, that a/her recovery often come with a roller coaster as a constant companion.

Catherine looked a a little sun-kissed, but I did find myself a bit worried; she appears even slimmer than she was in the lead-up to her wedding. Still, her poise and strength shine through.

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Eva's avatar

I'd say that she's most probably paying extra attention to the quantity and quality of what she eats, as -apart from anything else- she'd want to make the best to be there for her kids for years to come. My guess is that she's not yet (? or hasn't been for some time?) able to exercise as hard as she used to and may have lost some of her body mass and lines.

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LilMacWhy's avatar

Ah, that is a definite possibility and makes sense. Thanks, Eva.

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Stephanie C's avatar

It was so wonderful to see her and to hear her speak about her experience. I have such deep admiration for her sharing what she feels comfortable to be open about. I am hopeful for continued good things and a bit of reprieve from the hot weather in the UK so that she is able to attend Wimbledon in the coming weeks.

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elizabeth's avatar

Catherine is in a unique place to advocate that these spaces are needed for both those being treated and those emerging into post cancer life.

While she shares her own experiences the emphasis is on the need for more and the value of those that exist already. Crank sites insisting she never was treated for cancer and that she should stay home from Wimbledon miss the point that she will never probably say anything that will haunt her kids ever and that her patronages benefit enormously in funding and awareness from her engagement every time she steps out.

Wimbledon would be very hurt by her not appearing.

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Eva's avatar

"...she will never probably say anything that will haunt her kids ever...". Spot on!

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Kate Lowman's avatar

Anyone who is a part of a cancer journey knows that there’s a lot of anxiety and stress post treatment as the scans continue and blood tests and constant worry that symptoms or new symptoms will emerge. It’s terrifying. I feel for her and her family.

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Elizabeth Davies's avatar

For Kate to speak out about her recovery troubles is so helpful for others going through the same journey and for everyone else to hear. Typical that she uses her own experience of suffering to help others.

On a shallower note, I loved her outfit here. The blazer is familiar, but mixed with a striped shirt and the Joseph trousers with trainers looked very smart casual for a summer visit.

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Valerie's avatar

And she got down and literally dug in to plant the gift she’d brought. She knew what she’d be doing and dressed for the moment :)

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Eva's avatar

..."particularly when it’s the first time..." I was so moved by that remark of Kate's. I believe she has come a long way this past year. It's not only that she has a fantastic support system, it's also that she can move away from the victim approach and the "restrictive" view of her own experience, and dig in to find a greater meaning even in the most ugly situations.

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Diane's avatar

What a wonderful outing! Catherine managed to enjoy and comfort people around her at the same time as getting her message out to the public in the nicest possible way. She got down in the dirt to plant the beautiful Catherine rose and smiled through getting her hair drenched in the rain...Catherine really is just a natural born princess. The Royal Family is Very lucky to have her.

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Patty Smith's avatar

It is so good to see her there, planting a rose bush and sharing more about her journey. I hope she knows how beloved she is, beloved by people all over the world. She has shown such dignity and grace through this entire journey. What an inspiration she is.

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Kathy's avatar

How challenging to be a global figure, have the world know you have cancer, and balance your complete right to privacy with having to justify to the world why you can't appear smiling in beautiful clothes every work day of the year. Not to mention the horrible rumors that are inevitable. She's done a lot for cancer patients both actively in treatment and in recovery.

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Reelmomof4's avatar

Love Pippa’s outfit! Also, I have never noticed the note section until you just mentioned it!

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