The Princess of Wales was visibly moved by a remark about her three children during her recent visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where she received her own cancer treatment.
Kate spent time thanking the staff for their care and spoke to patients about their cancer journeys, before sharing her own experience of the ‘tough’ treatment. She later revealed in a personal message on social media that she is in remission.
While in conversation with one patient, Kate was commended for managing her role as a mother of three to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and six-year-old Prince Louis, during her cancer treatment.
The woman told the Princess as she sat with patients and their families on the ward: “I think you’ve managed the children amazingly well.” Touched by the kind words, Kate replied: “Oh, that’s kind.”
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The Princess was commended for managing her role as a mum while undergoing cancer treatment
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She added: “The treatments are really so different and so varied, it impacts families differently.” Kate was said to have wanted to show her support in person to those going through cancer treatment.
Her surprise visit coincided with the news that the Princess has become joint royal patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside her husband Prince William.
It was clearly a poignant and emotional outing for Kate. And according to body language expert Judi James, her demeanour spoke volumes about her feelings.
Kate spent time speaking with cancer patients and staff during the unannounced visit
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Judi told the Mirror: “Kate’s body language here shows how much this was a very personal visit for her as well as a more royal one to show her thanks. One strong factor defining a change of emotional state comes with the constantly and emphatically raised eyebrows.
“This shows a prime desire for Kate to share and to communicate. Like many patients, Kate seems to be overwhelmed by the desire to discuss, tell and share experiences.
“She talks a lot during her meeting with the staff during the seated discussion, and although she frequently throws her hands out in what looks like an invitation to respond, she rather sweetly seems so keen to share her own thoughts and feelings with people with whom she now has a unique bond.
It was a personal and emotional visit for the royal
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Russell Myers/ Reach PLC)
“Her gestures are animated and more exaggerated than usual and this also suggests a strong desire to register gratitude, plus some excitement at being able to do so.”
But despite the personal nature of the engagement, Judi says Kate also stuck to the royal playbook – but with a twist. She added: “She performs the usual royal meet and greet rituals, but this shapes up as primarily a more personal visit.
“She poses happily for the bank of staff cameras and she bends to the floor to stroke the dog but it’s the immersed chats, hugs and meaningful touches with the other patients that seem most important to her, thanks to the authentic empathy of shared experience during what will have been one of the most emotional times of all their lives.”