The Princess of Wales attended a reception at St James's Palace in London on Tuesday evening, joining King Charles and Queen Camilla to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK. The event, hosted by the King as patron of the charity, brought together researchers, clinicians, volunteers, and partners involved in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Kate, who announced she was in remission from cancer last year, joined the King and Queen in viewing immersive installations showcasing how technological innovation is transforming cancer research. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, joint presidents of the charity, also attended. Both Charles and Kate were diagnosed with undisclosed types of cancer in 2024.
Among the guests was former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall, who underwent surgery for breast cancer in November after finding a lump. She told the princess it was an 'absolute honour' to meet her, and they discussed McCall's cancer journey, which she described as 'liberating' to talk about publicly. McCall also previously had a rare brain tumour removed.
Cancer Research UK noted that survival rates have doubled in the UK over the past 50 years, attributing the progress to advances in research and clinical trials. The King's treatment schedule was reduced thanks to early diagnosis and positive response, while Kate has slowly resumed royal duties, including a recent solo working trip to Italy.
