George, Charlotte, and Louis went back to school on January 8th, so I did wonder if we’d see an engagement from Kate relatively soon, but I was nonetheless surprised (and delighted) by her surprise appearance today!
This must have taken a lot of courage on her part - she’s not that far out from treatment. Going back to the cancer center can be very emotional. As a survivor this really made me smile.
What a nice surprise to see her out and about. Thanks for the pictures, too. I couldn't tell from others that I'd seen that the coat is plaid and not a solid color. She looks great! I hope that this is the start of regular engagements now, both because I missed seeing her and because that would mean that she is healthy.
Indeed a lovely surprise! I to am also a cancer survivor myself! From that perspective, ! I think her timing is similar to my own re her gradual return for a variety of reasons. I think one tends to “look fine” but not “feel fine” and I can confirm the mental battle after this diagnosis and treatment is a big one. Anyway, she looks great, love the color, and just overall good for her!!!
What a lovely engagement. She looks beautiful and I’m sure it was an emotional visit, but what a gift to spend time with patients who will no doubt appreciate that she truly understands what they are going through ❤️
She looks great and delighted with this visit. I think there will definitely be a shift in the kinds of engagements she and the other royals partake in. More personal, closer to the heart, engagements.
You can see from the pictures how much more it meant to both Kate and the patients that they knew what the other was and is going through and could discuss it in a more meaningful way.
She looked great as usual, again re working clothes from her wardrobe. Great outing all round.
Wow, what a lovely surprise! Thank you very much for posting about this, Jane. Love the plaid coat and separates. Such a treat to see Kate engaged in such a meaningful visit and so early in the year. Yippee!!
I love that one of the patients who chose to be photographed with her is using cold capping to save her hair. I know that some types of chemo do not result in hair loss and that we don’t know what Catherine’s chemo was, but I’ve wondered if she used cold caps to save her hair. Many insurance companies here in the US do not cover cold caps and many people here are unaware that they even exist. My understanding is that NHS covers cold caps, though I’m certainly not an expert on the NHS and not even a UK citizen or resident, so please correct me if I’m wrong. I hope this picture brings awareness of the treatment and makes it more accessible.
Truly special to see her there today. Very poignant and I'm so pleased she made the visit. I could tell it meant a lot to both her and the many people she visited. I wish her continued good health and hope to see more of her again soon!
The NYT reported that Catherine commented that when they removed her port she was anxious about it after depending on it for her treatment. Many wondered if the bodice gathering styles of her public wardrobe during her treatment were to conceal a port. What courage to attend public events numbering in the thousands at the Trooping and the tennis while undergoing treatment despite the physical vulnerability.
This must have taken a lot of courage on her part - she’s not that far out from treatment. Going back to the cancer center can be very emotional. As a survivor this really made me smile.
What a nice surprise to see her out and about. Thanks for the pictures, too. I couldn't tell from others that I'd seen that the coat is plaid and not a solid color. She looks great! I hope that this is the start of regular engagements now, both because I missed seeing her and because that would mean that she is healthy.
What a wonderful choice for a first engagement, and to let out a tiny, personal detail is so like Kate. In her own time and in her own way!
Indeed a lovely surprise! I to am also a cancer survivor myself! From that perspective, ! I think her timing is similar to my own re her gradual return for a variety of reasons. I think one tends to “look fine” but not “feel fine” and I can confirm the mental battle after this diagnosis and treatment is a big one. Anyway, she looks great, love the color, and just overall good for her!!!
What a lovely engagement. She looks beautiful and I’m sure it was an emotional visit, but what a gift to spend time with patients who will no doubt appreciate that she truly understands what they are going through ❤️
I am so happy to see Catherine out and about again.
What a great first visit of 2025!
Love the coat.
She looks great and delighted with this visit. I think there will definitely be a shift in the kinds of engagements she and the other royals partake in. More personal, closer to the heart, engagements.
Day made ❤️❤️
That picture of her coming through the front door looking upwards… 😭. What a photo. She is absolute strength and grace.
You can see from the pictures how much more it meant to both Kate and the patients that they knew what the other was and is going through and could discuss it in a more meaningful way.
She looked great as usual, again re working clothes from her wardrobe. Great outing all round.
Wow, what a lovely surprise! Thank you very much for posting about this, Jane. Love the plaid coat and separates. Such a treat to see Kate engaged in such a meaningful visit and so early in the year. Yippee!!
I love that one of the patients who chose to be photographed with her is using cold capping to save her hair. I know that some types of chemo do not result in hair loss and that we don’t know what Catherine’s chemo was, but I’ve wondered if she used cold caps to save her hair. Many insurance companies here in the US do not cover cold caps and many people here are unaware that they even exist. My understanding is that NHS covers cold caps, though I’m certainly not an expert on the NHS and not even a UK citizen or resident, so please correct me if I’m wrong. I hope this picture brings awareness of the treatment and makes it more accessible.
Apparently, she didn’t use cold caps. I’m guessing that the type of chemo she received doesn’t result in hair loss.
Truly special to see her there today. Very poignant and I'm so pleased she made the visit. I could tell it meant a lot to both her and the many people she visited. I wish her continued good health and hope to see more of her again soon!
Even better than the visit with the photos was Catherine's follow-up announcement on social media that she's in remission. Such wonderful news.
The NYT reported that Catherine commented that when they removed her port she was anxious about it after depending on it for her treatment. Many wondered if the bodice gathering styles of her public wardrobe during her treatment were to conceal a port. What courage to attend public events numbering in the thousands at the Trooping and the tennis while undergoing treatment despite the physical vulnerability.
I also wondered about the port.
Catherine finally said it: she is in remission. Hallelujah!