The Princess of Wales has said cancer “makes you appreciate all the small things in life” as she met patients and staff at the hospital that treated her.

Kate had words of support – and hugs – for those dealing with the disease at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.

She thanked medical teams during the visit – which was also the first confirmation of where she was treated.

As she arrived, the princess said it was nice to enter through the main entrance after “having made so many quiet, private visits”.

Kate met a woman wearing a cold cap, who was on her first day of treatment, and told several patients to try to keep “doing the things that give you joy”.

Talking about a cancer diagnosis, Kate said: “It makes you appreciate all the small things in life that you take for granted.”

“It’s really tough,” she told one patient having chemotherapy. “It’s such a shock”.

“It’s the uncertainty of that initial diagnosis,” she added.

“It’s such a wealth of information. Understanding the diagnosis, it’s a massive amount of information to take on as a patient.”

Kate said trying to stay positive had made “such a difference”, and that getting “loads of water and loads of sunlight” also helped her feel better.

The 43-year-old revealed in September she had finished chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer, calling the last six months “incredibly tough”.

In March 2024, the princess confirmed she was having preventative treatment after tests following abdominal surgery found cancer had been present.

Kensington Palace said the princess had wanted to “show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world-leading care and treatment the Marsden provides”.

During the visit, Kate said she was feeling well, but recalled the toll treatment can take, saying “sometimes you feel relatively well, and then you have another one”.

“Sometimes from the outside we all think you’ve finished treatment and you go back to things. But it’s hard to get back to normal,” she added.

As she left, she hugged a woman who appeared to be a visitor, assuring her there was “light at the end of that tunnel” and she was “in the best of hands”.

Kate will now join Prince William as a royal patron of the Royal Marsden – a leading specialist cancer hospital that treats more than 59,000 patients every year.

William last week praised his wife’s strength as he shared a picture to mark her birthday and called her “the most incredible wife and mother”.

He wrote: “The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”

He previously described 2024 as “brutal” and probably “the hardest year” of his life after the King was also diagnosed with cancer.

Despite today’s hospital visit, Kensington Palace stressed the princess’s return to public-facing duties would continue to take place gradually.

“Today was about visiting the Marsden to reflect on her own personal journey,” a spokesperson said.