Facing a turning point in her cancer journey, the Princess of Wales is embracing her “new normal” with her family by her side — and looking ahead
Kate Middleton is turning the page to a new chapter in remission.
The Princess of Wales, 43, is focused on the future after releasing a statement on Jan. 14 sharing her “relief to now be in remission” after undergoing treatment for cancer last year.
“She has drawn a line under the last year, and she can move forward,” a close royal insider tells PEOPLE in this week’s exclusive cover story. “The word ‘remission’ is such a positive one to use, and it just feels a veil has been lifted on their life of the last year, and that they can move forward with positivity and hope.”
Focusing on her personal well-being continues to be at the heart of Kate’s outlook. Following her surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14 — where she underwent regular chemotherapy treatments throughout much of 2024 — Kate reflected on her cancer journey in a heartfelt statement: “I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.”
A source close to the royal household tells PEOPLE, “It has been a tough journey — harder than we perhaps thought. She has been through a lot, and it has been a rough road. Serious illness like cancer does change you. She has a young family, and it makes you rethink everything—your purpose and what you want to do with your life.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who are proud parents to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, are now focused on settling into their “new normal.”
“For the princess, family — her husband and children — are more important than anything else,” the close royal insider says.
According to royal sources, Kate’s “new normal” won’t involve a dramatic “reset.” Instead, she plans to maintain a similar pace of royal engagements to what she embraced in late 2024. Highlighting her steady and gradual approach, her visit to The Royal Marsden marked her first solo engagement since 2023.
As Princess Kate said during her surprise visit, “You think the treatment has finished and you can crack on and get back to normal, but that’s still a real challenge. The words totally disappear. And understanding that as a patient — yes, there are side effects around treatment, but actually there are more long-term side effects.”
While quietly continuing her dedication to early childhood development initiatives behind the scenes, the Princess of Wales said she has rediscovered “joy” in her work and embraced a renewed purpose: advocating for the “groundbreaking research and clinical excellence” of the Royal Marsden and its pioneering cancer-care facilities.
In a meaningful nod to tradition, she and Prince William were recently confirmed as joint patrons of the hospital, carrying forward the legacy of his late mother, Princess Diana, who became president of the facility in 1989.
Ingrid Seward, who has covered the royal family for decades and witnessed Diana’s deep connection to the Royal Marsden, sees echoes of the late princess in Kate’s approach.
“It was incredibly genuine — she really cared, and they obviously felt it too,” Seward says of Kate’s warm way at the medical center. “She made them feel special. It is unusual with royalty — but you certainly had that with Diana, and now we have Kate. She has really got it.”
Indeed, a cornerstone of the princess’ new mission is fostering personal connections. In her conversation with Katherine Field, who was undergoing her fourth chemotherapy session for breast cancer on Jan. 14, Kate’s empathy was unmistakable. The two women discussed treatment experiences, including the port both had fitted for chemotherapy and the cold cap used to minimize hair loss—something Kate hadn’t needed. The royal also shared her own strategies for self-care during treatment, emphasizing the importance of hydration and sunlight.
On their exchange, Field tells PEOPLE, “It was just like talking to a friend about a really horrible time in life and how you find ways of getting through it. She is very special—to be able to connect with people so quickly and so empathetically.”
