The Princess of Wales offered a remarkably candid and poignant four-word reply when questioned about her ongoing cancer journey during a recent royal engagement in Wales. Kate undertook a series of visits to textile manufacturers on Tuesday, championing British craftsmanship and industry, where she interacted warmly with well-wishers and staff.
A Moment of Personal Reflection
During her tour, which included a stop at the family-owned Hiut Denim jeans factory in Cardigan, the Princess was greeted by dozens of enthusiastic royal fans. While mingling with the public, one individual inquired about her family life before broaching the sensitive topic of her health. After her factory visit concluded, another member of the public approached her outside.
The man first asked how Prince George was faring, to which Kate responded warmly, "He's doing very well thank you. They are at school today, and I am going to go back and see them this evening." He then expressed his hopes for her recovery, stating, "I hope you're getting better really soon after what happened to you," directly referencing her cancer battle.
The Heartfelt Four-Word Response
In reply, the Princess of Wales offered a brief but deeply meaningful four-word phrase: "Thank you very much. This is good for my soul, meeting wonderful people." This fleeting yet powerful comment provided a rare glimpse into her personal perspective on recovery and the therapeutic value of public engagements during her health journey.
Princess Kate was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 and subsequently stepped back from royal duties to undergo preventative chemotherapy. In January 2025, she publicly announced that she was in remission, marking a significant milestone in her treatment.
Championing Welsh Textile Heritage
The Princess's visit served to highlight Wales's rich textile manufacturing heritage. Cardigan has been a centre for jeans production since the 1960s, when its first factory employed over 400 people and produced 35,000 pairs weekly. During her tour of Hiut Denim, Kate even personally stitched a label onto a pair of jeans intended for Prince William.
Her engagement extended to Melin Tregwynt, a traditional woollen mill where she demonstrated her practical skills in the quality control department. Guided by staff member Paula Harding, Kate successfully repaired a broken thread in a roll of reversible fabric, completing a two-inch repair with notable precision.
"She did it right, it's amazing, and she didn't go through the other side, that's skill – she's got the skill," Ms Harding remarked afterwards, praising the Princess's dexterity. Kate herself observed that such work requires "really good eyesight and patience."
Personal Touches and Family Life
The visit was punctuated by personal moments, including an encounter with the factory owner's dog, Barney, who ran around her feet. Kate gently patted the dog and spoke about her own pets, revealing that the family now has an eight-month-old puppy alongside their older dog, Orla.
"So we've got a little puppy. He's only eight months and Orla is five," she told staff. Black cocker spaniel Orla was gifted to the family by Kate's brother, James Middleton, in 2020 and gave birth to four puppies in May, suggesting the new addition is likely one of those.
A Sustained Interest in Textiles
The future Queen has demonstrated a keen and sustained interest in fabrics and textiles over the past year, visiting numerous weaving mills and manufacturers across the United Kingdom. Her itinerary has included a tartan-weaving studio in Stirling in January, textile makers in Carmarthenshire, Suffolk, Kent, and Co Tyrone last year, and an examination of a William Morris fabric sample book during a visit to the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, east London.
This latest engagement in Wales not only underscored her commitment to supporting British industries but also provided a platform for a rare, unscripted moment of personal reflection on her health journey, resonating deeply with the public and well-wishers following her progress.
