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From her tireless humanitarian work to her effortless charm, there are countless reasons as to why Diana has gone down in history as the ‘People’s Princess’.
In her 36 years, the late mother-of-two, who was the patron of over 100 charities, was famous for regularly visiting hospitals across the UK – lifting the spirits of both patients and staff.
And it seems her daughter-in-law, who inherited Diana’s title in 2022, is determined to carry on her legacy.
This morning, the Princess of Wales deeply emotional visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London – where she took the time to speak with cancer patients and medical professionals working on the wards.
As well as being one of Diana’s patronages, it has now been confirmed that the hospital is where Kate has been receiving her own cancer treatment over the past year.
On her first major solo engagement in more than a year, the royal met with patients to show her support and personally thank staff for their ‘exceptional care, support and compassion’.
The visit comes as Kensington Palace revealed the Princess of Wales 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.
Pictured: the Princess of Wales speaks with a cancer patient at the Royal Marsden in London this morning
Pictured: Princess Diana during a visit to St Mary’s Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in April 1997
Princess Diana was appointed patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation in 1989 and held the role until her tragic death in 1997.
However, the royal took an interest in the hospital long before she was appointed patron and president.
The Princess of Wales was pictured visiting their cancer ward in 1982, just over a year after she married Prince Charles.
She then visited the hospital, where her late cousin Conway Seymour received his leukemia treatment, again in 1984 before then laying a ceremonial foundation stone in 1990.
In February 1993, Diana opened the Royal Marsden’s Wolfson Childrens Cancer Unit and paid regular visits to the ward to meet young patients.
One year before her death, the late royal hosted a fundraising event for the Royal Marsden, which raised over £1m for cancer research.
During the poignant visit today, Kate echoed her husband’s mother as she took time to speak with cancer patients on the ward.
At one point, the Princess sat down with one woman – who was wearing a cold cap to prevent hair loss – and said: ‘When did you first start treatment? Oh, today? How are you finding it?’
Catherine, Princess of Wales speaks with cancer patient Peter Burton during a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital
Pictured: Princess Diana opening the Royal Marsden’s Wolfson Childrens Cancer Unit in February 1993
Pictured: Princess Diana meeting young patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London before her death in 1997
Pictured: the Princess of Wales walks through the Royal Marsden Hospital’s gates in London this morning
After offering a listening ear to patients, the royal mother-of-three was also pictured laughing with the staff who supported her during her own course of treatment – which ended in September 2024.
The Royal Marsden, which first opened in 1851, was the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education.
What’s more, Prince William has also has a close connection to his mother’s old patronage – and even completed work experience at the Royal Marsden during his time at university.
In 2015, he also launched the appeal for the Oak Cancer Centre in Sutton, which opened its doors in June 2023.
Shortly after their wedding in 2011, the Prince and Princess of Wales opened the The Oak Cancer Centre for Children and Young People – where one mother praised Kate for ‘asking loads of questions’ and expressing her sympathy for her young son who was battling the disease.
As she walked through the main entrance to the hospital’s Chelsea site this morning, the Princess – dressed in a long brown winter coat and heels – was heard saying: ‘I was just saying, coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it’s quite nice.’
The Princess of Wales speaks to a patient at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London today
Pictured: Princess Diana receives a bouquet of flowers from Philip Loft at the Royal Marsden Hospital in March 1993
Princess Diana pictured when she officially opened the new clinical block of the Royal Marsden Hospital
Diana, Princess of Wales holds four year-old Holly Hunt – the youngest winner of the children’s art competition organised in aid of the Royal Marsden Hospital in 1994
Kate meets with patients to show her support during her trip to the Royal Marsden this morning
The Princess of Wales speaks to a patient at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London today
The Princess of Wales arrives for a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea today
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.’
In her new role as joint royal patron, Catherine 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.
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 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.
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