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The Princess of Wales was ‘energetic’ as she ‘excitedly’ chatted with cancer patients during an emotional visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital this morning – where she herself had received treatment.
Kate Middleton, 43, personally thanked staff for their ‘exceptional care, support and compassion’ over the past 12 months.
The mother-of-two appeared to have an ‘almost overwhelming urge to communicate’, a body language expert has revealed.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Judi James explained: ‘Her brows are raised in a high arch and she is very animated, with very emphatic hand gestures that signal excitement and gratitude.
‘Her palms are cupped and she throws her hands around, showing an even greater desire to talk as she does to listen and this reminds us of the unique shared experiences and relationships she has with them all.’
The communications coach added that Kate was ‘naturally and authentically empathetic’ with patients.
This can be seen from some of the ‘body language mirroring and matching, showing shared states, thoughts and experiences’.
‘Her tactile behavior looks relaxed, and her hugs seem received as a shared comfort ritual,’ Judi added.
The Princess of Wales was ‘energetic’ as she ‘excitedly’ chatted with cancer patients during an emotional visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital this morning – where she herself had received treatment
The mother-of-two appeared to have an ‘almost overwhelming urge to communicate’, a body language expert has revealed
The communications coach added that Kate was ‘naturally and authentically empathetic’ with patients
The expert recounted that Kate’s ‘arrival at the hospital throws up two very significant and poignant body language displays and moment’.
‘Her very energetic, determined-looking, smiling walk through reception sends an inspirational signal that appears deliberate,’ she said.
‘Sporting her signature royal smile she poses for the staff cameras and she bends to stroke the dog.
‘But there is also a moment which seems to be primarily for herself, when she seems to tilt her head back to look up at the building just before she steps under the imposing stone archway at the entrance.
‘Her very meaningful facial expression here suggests she is doing what many patients of the Royal Marsden do, which is to imprint and even savour the moment when they return to visit rather than to get treatment
‘It is often a moment to make a comparison of their thoughts and feelings on their first visit and to compare it to their present ones.’
Kate Middleton , 43, personally thanked staff for their ‘exceptional care, support and compassion’ over the past 12 months
Kate sat down as she chatted with others at the hospital, looking animated and immersed in conversation
It came as Kensington Palace revealed that the princess will join her husband as joint Royal Patron of the Marsden, a role that Prince William’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales, once held before her.
A spokesman told the Mail: ‘The princess wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.’
As revealed by the Mail on Sunday earlier this month, today’s visit is one of a small number of engagements Catherine will undertake this year as part of a deliberately slow and measured return to duties.
Indeed, Kensington Palace were keen to stress today that that the guidance around the Princess’ return to public-facing engagements hasn’t changed and that it would continue to be ‘gradual’.
‘Today was about visiting the Marsden to reflect on her own personal journey,’ an aide emphasised.
It is understood that the visit was always planned to be a solo engagement for the princess, even though her husband is already patron, as it was felt important for her to visit the Marsden independently to reflect on her own ‘personal journey’. The decision has William’s full backing and support.
The princess announced in September that she had completed a gruelling course of ‘preventative chemotherapy’ after doctors found evidence of cancer following serious abdominal surgery in January.
In a moving personal statement Catherine spoke openly about the ‘incredibly tough’ year she had endured and the ‘complex, scary and unpredictable’ nature of her diagnosis and treatment. Throughout it all, she made clear, her and William’s priority has been to protect their three young children.
An animated Kate grinned and smiled as she spoke with others, looking excited as she conversed
‘Her tactile behavior looks relaxed, and her hugs seem received as a shared comfort ritual,’ Judi added
Kate appeared moved and ‘excited’ as she spoke with patients during her visit to the hospital this morning
The Princess – pictured with Scout the therapy dog – was ‘energetic’ during the visit this morning
The royal was sophisticated as ever in a burgundy outfit which was the perfect choice for January
The princess was animated as she chatted with patients during today’s visit. She opted for a scarlet jumper and skirt
Kate was the image of elegance as she sported an all red ensemble for her visit to to The Royal Marsden Hospital this morning
Kate wore her chestnut hair down in loose waves, and opted for a glamorous make-up look this morning
She sported a monochrome look in the red sweater and skirt, teaming the look with burgundy stilettos
Kate was all smiles as she chatted with others during today’s visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital
The palace has not yet revealed details of the cancer she was diagnosed with or the nature of the operation she first underwent other than to describe it as ‘planned abdominal surgery’.
However it was serious enough for to require several months of recuperation alone, even before her cancer diagnosis and has left the princess warning that her road to recovery is still ongoing.
Last week Prince William marked her birthday by posting a rare public tribute to his wife, paying tribute to the strength she has shown and expressing love and pride that he, Princess George, Princess Charlotte and little Prince Louis have for her.
The last major solo engagement undertaken by the princess before her health took a turn for the worse was on December 5 2023 when she visited the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London to open its day surgery unit.
She subsequently hosted her annual carol service with her family and attended Wimbledon last year with Princess Charlotte, as well as events such as Trooping the Colour, but always with other family members.
Today’s special visit was carried out amid a strict security blackout with minimal media present in order to protect the privacy of patients currently undergoing scheduled cancer treatments and so as not to disrupt the daily workings of the hospital.
As she met with staff and patients who are currently receiving treatment, sources described the visit as ‘incredibly poignant’.
The Royal Marsden is a research active cancer centre and plays an important role in helping advance cancer treatment for others here in the UK and around the world.
The Princess of Wales was effortlessly elegant in an all-red ensemble – as she made a deeply emotional visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London this morning, where it can now be revealed she has been undergoing her own cancer treatment
Kate Middleton, 43, added a pop of colour to the dreary January weather in a scarlet turtleneck and skirt as she embarked on her first major solo engagement in more than a year
In her new role as joint Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness is said to be looking forward to supporting The Marsden’s work in advancing cancer research, treatment, and care as well as learning more about how it can benefit patients in the future.
In its announcement Kensington Palace said: ‘The Prince and Princess of Wales have today become Joint Patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
‘The patronage update has been announced following a visit by Her Royal Highness to the hospital’s Chelsea site earlier today and follows The Princess’ own personal cancer journey, during which she received treatment from The Royal Marsden.
‘Today’s visit saw The Princess meet patients currently undergoing treatment as well as staff working in different roles across the hospital.’
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to The Royal Marsden in Chelsea this morning, and are delighted that Her Royal Highness is now joining His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in becoming Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre.
‘We are incredibly fortunate to receive Royal Patronage – it is inspiring for staff and patients and enables us to shine a light on the outstanding work our staff deliver every day for patients and their families.’
The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education.
Today, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre operating across three sites in Chelsea, Sutton and Cavendish Square in central London.
Last week Prince William shared a sweet tribute to Kate Middleton, alongside an unseen black and white portrait of her
The Prince of Wales’s heartwarming birthday message to his ‘incredible’ wife signals a new era of open affection for the Firm – breaking from the traditional ‘stiff-upper lip’ mentality – a royal historian has claimed. William and Kate pictured at their wedding
In an unusually personal message, William praised his wife’s strength and added that he, George, Charlotte and Louis were ‘so proud of her’
The Prince of Wales has held the role of President of The Royal Marsden since 2007, a position which was previously held by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales most recently visited The Royal Marsden to open their Oak Cancer Centre in Sutton in June 2023.
The outing comes one week after the royal’s birthday, which was marked by a sweet message from her husband Prince William.
On Thursday the father-of-three shared a heartwarming Instagram tribute to Kate, alongside an unseen black and white portrait of her.
In an unusually personal message, William, 42, praised his wife’s strength and added that he, George, Charlotte and Louis were ‘so proud of her’.
The future king signed the message off with ‘Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W’.
In the picture, taken by royal photographer Matt Porteous in Windsor last summer, the Princess is seen relaxed at home, in jeans, a blazer and checked scarf.
She posed with her hands in her pocket – showing off her dazzling engagement ring – while wearing her hair in a gentle wave.
‘Happy birthday to the Princess of Wales,’ a sweet message on the Royal Family account read last week
A personal message – and unseen photo – is an unusual thing for the Royal Family to do for a non-major birthday.
It is perhaps the most emotive message William has ever shared about his wife.
‘To the most incredible wife and mother. 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,’ the message, shared to Instagram and X, reads.
Matt Porteous has taken pictures of William, Kate and their children dozens of times – as well as accompanying them on royal tours.
The King and Queen also shared their own tribute to Kate, while many members of the public and Kate’s patronages have also sent well wishes.
The royal mother-of-three, who was born in Reading on January 9, 1982, turned 43 last week after enduring an annus horribilis in 2024.
Shortly after marking her 42nd birthday last January, Kensington Palace announced the Princess of Wales had been taken to hospital for abdominal surgery and was to pause public-facing duties while she recovered.
However, her time out of the spotlight fuelled wild speculation about her health and in March 2024 the Princess released an extraordinarily candid clip in which she announced to the world that doctors determined ‘cancer had been present’ in her body after carrying out tests.
Prince William (pictured with his wife and children) reduced his public engagements as he put family life and Kate’s recovery front and centre
The news sent the nation, and indeed the world, into a state of shock as Kate revealed she would be undergoing chemotherapy treatment and was taking time out of public duties indefinitely as she prioritised her recovery.
Meanwhile, Prince William also reduced his public engagements as he put family life and his wife’s recovery front and centre – while his father King Charles also received cancer treatment.
Nonetheless, the Prince of Wales still honoured some public duties and revealed glimpses of the extremely difficult year the family had endured.
Speaking in Cape Town, South Africa, on a visit in November for his Earthshot Awards, William, 42, said 2024 had been ‘the hardest year of my life’.
Thankfully, after months out of the spotlight as she continued treatment, the Princess announced in September – in another extremely emotive clip – that her chemotherapy had come to an end and her focus was now on remaining ‘cancer-free’.
She announced she would be dipping her toes back into public life while ensuring her recovery was still her main focus.
And as she resumed some public facing duties, the Princess showed royal fans the causes that she perhaps cherishes the most.
One of Kate’s first engagements was a meeting with the late Liz Hatton, an aspiring photographer with a rare form of cancer who wanted to photograph an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle as part of her ‘bucket list’.
The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to his wife Kate as she turns 43 today following an annus horribilis last year as she battled cancer
The nation’s hearts were warmed by a photo of the Princess and Liz sharing a warm hug in the royal residence – knowing it was an embrace that meant everything to both.
Tragically, Liz passed away on November 27 – days before her family had planned an early Christmas celebration with her.
Following Liz’s death the Prince and Princess of Wales issued a statement praising her as a ‘brave and humble young woman’.
Other engagements carried out by Kate included a visit to Southport in September, where tragedy had struck just months earlier when three young girls, Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, had been stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift dance party.
Appearing alongside Prince William, Kate met with community leaders as the area tried to rebuild following the horrific incident. Privately, she also met with families of the children who had been affected.
Perhaps Kate’s most prominent return to the spotlight was her Together at Christmas carol service, an event she hosts every year and which she holds extremely close to her heart.
Speaking at the event as she addressed guests who had been hand picked to attend at Westminster Abbey, the Princess said: ‘Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it’s also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.
‘It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.
‘The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.’
The theme of this year’s ‘Together at Christmas’ concert is love and empathy, which is perhaps suitable considering the difficult year the Princess has had.
Kate continued: ‘The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.
‘It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives.’
Her message was told in the form of a voice over played at the start of the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
