Catherine, Princess of Wales, has finished her chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, she announced in a video message on social media.
"As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment," the former Kate Middleton wrote on X.
She added in the lengthy message that she's now focusing on efforts to maintain her health and "stay cancer free."
The princess last shared an update on her cancer treatment in June, the day before she made her first public appearance at Trooping the Colour since announcing her health setbacks.
Here's what Kate's shared about her cancer journey and treatment.
Kate Middleton reveals she's done with chemo and "cancer free"
In a September 2024 announcement, the princess revealed that she's done with chemotherapy.
"The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown," she wrote.
"The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.
"With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.
"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.
"Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.
"I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.
"Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.
"William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling.
"To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey — I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright."
In her last health update in June 2024, she had revealed she was still going through chemo and had a few months of treatment left.
What kind of cancer does Kate Middleton have?
The princess has not specified what kind of cancer she was undergoing treatment for. She shared that it was discovered after an abdominal surgery in January.
The most common types of cancer discovered through abdominal surgery are gastrointestinal, such as colon or stomach, or genital or urinary, Dr. Ben Ho Park, director of precision oncology at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, told TODAY.com. He was sure to point out, however, that “it could be anything.”
Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis
The Princess of Wales said that she was in the “early stages” of preventative chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer in a March 2024 video statement. She did not specify the kind of cancer.
The diagnosis came after Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January. “At the time, it was thought that my condition was noncancerous," she said in the video. "The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.”
Kate added that the news of her cancer diagnosis came as a “huge shock,” noting that she and her husband, Prince William, were aiming to “manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment,” she said. “But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.”
The princess assured viewers in the video that she is “well and getting stronger every day.” She also asked for “time, space and privacy” as she undergoes treatment and said she is focused on making a “full recovery.”
Kate Middleton's abdominal surgery
In mid-January 2024, prior to her cancer diagnosis, Kate underwent a planned abdominal surgery.
In a statement released the following day, Kensington Palace wrote: “The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
The statement went on to say the palace would only provide updates that were "significant" and to apologize on behalf of the princess, who had to postpone all upcoming engagements.
Kate returned home to Windsor to continue to recover in late January, according to a palace statement, which added, "She is making good progress.”
At the time, a palace source told NBC News that she was expected to be recuperating for two to three months following the surgery.
“She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible,” the statement said.
A Kensington Palace source told NBC News in mid-January that William would be postponing appearances in the coming months and not conduct any official duties while his wife was in the hospital or immediately after she returned home.
For weeks after the surgery and before her cancer diagnosis was revealed, speculation, rumors and conspiracies theories swirled around the wellbeing of the future queen.
The palace has yet to reveal what the abdominal surgery was meant to address.
What has Kate said about her cancer treatment?
In September 2024, Kate revealed she is done with chemotherapy. “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” she wrote on social media.
When Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in March, she specified that she was undergoing "a course of preventative chemotherapy."
While not a clinical term, Park says preventive (also known as adjuvant) chemotherapy refers to a treatment that follows any initial interventions, such as surgery, to prevent cancer from returning. Clinical trials have found that chemotherapy can reduce the risk of the cancer recurring.
In Kate's June 2024 statement, she reflected on what it's been like undergo chemotherapy.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well,” she said.
Will Kate be returning to her royal duties?
In her September 2024 statement, Kate revealed she's getting ready to return to work in the near future.
"I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can," she wrote.
A senior palace aid previously told NBC News in late May: “She will return to work when she has the green light from her doctors. She needs her space and the privacy to recover right now.”
When her diagnosis was revealed in March, the palace said in an official statement: “The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.”
A timeline of Kate Middleton's health
December 2023
The princess’s last public appearance before her cancer diagnosis came in late 2023 during her family's annual Christmas church outing at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, near one of the king’s royal estates.
January 2024
Kensington Palace announced that Kate had undergone “planned abdominal surgery” in mid-January. She was discharged from London Clinic, a private hospital, 13 days later.
At the time, the palace said that Kate would be recuperating for two to three months after her surgery (before her cancer diagnosis) and that William would be postponing appearances in the coming months while his wife recovered.
February 2024
William pulled out of attending his godfather’s memorial service due to a “personal matter.” In a statement to NBC News in late February, the palace wouldn’t elaborate on the reason for William’s absence but said Kate “continues to be doing well.”
Kensington Palace later confirmed that the prince did not attend the service due to his wife’s cancer diagnosis.
In late February, as rumors about Kate's health and whereabouts mounted, the palace issued another statement about her recovery, explaining that her absence from the public eye shouldn’t be unexpected.
“Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates,” a spokesperson for the princess said in a statement to NBC News in late February. “That guidance stands.”
March 2024
The first photo of Kate since the surgery was released in early March. Grainy images showed her in the passenger seat of a black SUV that appeared to be driven by her mother near Windsor Castle. The palace declined to comment on these photos.
April 2024
William returned to royal duties in mid-April.
May 2024
William's public comments on his wife’s health have been minimal, but during a mid-May appearance, he shared a vague update when visiting St. Mary’s Community Hospital in the U.K. after a hospital administrator reportedly asked him about Kate.
“He said, ‘She’s doing well, thanks,’” hospital administrator Tracy Smith told reporters, according to the Associated Press.
Then in late May, a senior palace aid said the princess has not returned to royal duties, though she is engaged with an initiative about early childhood in the U.K.
The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood released a report earlier in May, and the future queen took time to review it, according to a spokesperson.
“Early childhood is a huge priority for the Princess and so she has been kept fully updated throughout the development of the Taskforce’s work, and she has seen the report,” they said.
June 2024
On June 14, Kate released her first remarks on her cancer treatment since revealing her diagnosis in March. She shared that she is "not out of the woods" with her treatment and that she still has "a few more months" of chemotherapy left to go. Read her full remarks.
Earlier in June, Prince William told a veteran at a recent event that Catherine is doing “better.” His comments were made in response to a guest at an event in Portsmouth, England, marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s D-Day.
“She would’ve loved to be here today,” William said.
Kate made her first public appearance since her diagnosis on June 15 at Trooping the Colour, an annual ceremony celebrating the king's birthday.
July 2024
The princess was well enough to make her second public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis, when she attended the men’s singles final on the 14th day of Wimbledon.
She received a standing ovation when she entered the Royal Box with daughter Princess Charlotte.
August 2024
Kate was spotted at Crathie Kirk church in Balmoral, Scotland, with her husband and in-laws.
September 2024
The princess revealed that she is done with chemotherapy and is focusing on staying "cancer free."
