Kensington Palace announced on January 14th that the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, have become joint patrons of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a world-leading cancer center. This joint patronage holds special significance for the couple, as Princess Kate received cancer treatment at the hospital for much of 2024.
Prince William has been closely associated with the Royal Marsden Hospital in London for many years, serving as its president since 2007. He inherited this role from his late mother, Princess Diana. Princess Kate’s new patronage marks a deeper connection to the institution that played a crucial role in her health journey.
To commemorate the announcement, Princess Kate visited the Royal Marsden Hospital on Tuesday. This marked her first solo engagement since 2023 and a rare public appearance following her cancer diagnosis. A Kensington Palace spokesman stated that the visit was intended to allow the Princess to express her gratitude to the medical team.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/catherine-princess-of-wales-the-royal-marsden-hospital-011425-9-653c469bf26f4fdc9579f86162685690.jpg)
Dame Cally Palmer, chief executive of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, expressed her honor at welcoming Princess Kate and delight at the couple’s joint patronage. She emphasized the inspirational impact of Royal Patronage on staff and patients, highlighting the outstanding work done at the hospital.
The Royal Marsden, established in 1851, holds the distinction of being the world’s first dedicated cancer diagnosis clinic. Today, it operates as a globally recognized cancer center with multiple locations throughout London.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/catherine-princess-of-wales-the-royal-marsden-hospital-011425-22-28b3201c9ef5446084c17d22d350ea8c.jpg)
Princess Kate’s return to public life follows the completion of her chemotherapy treatment, which she announced in a family video in September 2024. She initially revealed her cancer diagnosis in a personal video message in March 2024, describing the news as a “huge shock.” The specific type of cancer she battled has not been publicly disclosed. Kate began her treatment in February 2024, shortly after undergoing major abdominal surgery.
Prince William’s most recent public engagement at the Royal Marsden was in June 2023 when he officially opened the Oak Cancer Centre in Sutton. The couple’s shared commitment to the Royal Marsden underscores their dedication to supporting cancer research and patient care.
