Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance in London on Thursday, stepping out alongside her husband Prince William for the couple's first official outing of 2026.
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Charing Cross Hospital in West London to highlight the work of National Health Service staff and volunteers, as they respond to the increased demand on services during the winter months.
The outing also marked one year since Kate announced she was officially in remission from cancer.
During their visit to the hospital, William addressed the health care workers and patients and mentioned his wife's own health experiences.
"Both of us have had different experiences with hospitals, me working with the Air Ambulance, Catherine with her recent health journey," he said, referring to Kate's cancer diagnosis and treatment.
In another moment, a volunteer working with chemotherapy patients spoke with the royal couple about how long treatment can take, with patients and their caretakers often in the hospital for hours.
Kate replied, "I know," before touching William's shoulder and saying, "You know."
Kate, who first announced her cancer diagnosis publicly in March 2024, has never disclosed the type or stage of cancer with which she was diagnosed beyond sharing that she underwent chemotherapy.
In 2024, she announced that she had completed chemotherapy in a video shared on hers and William's official YouTube page.
In January 2025, the Princess of Wales shared a message on social media saying that her cancer was in remission.
"It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery," she wrote on social media at the time.
"As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead," she added. "There is much to look forward to."
