The King, Queen, and Princess of Wales have arrived at a reception marking the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK. Charles, who serves as patron of the charity, is hosting the event at London's St James's Palace on Tuesday evening, where they will meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers, and partners involved in the charity's work on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Immersive Installations Showcase Technological Innovation
During the reception, attendees will view immersive installations that highlight the charity's achievements and visual representations of how technological innovation is transforming cancer research. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, with the duke serving as joint president of Cancer Research UK, are also present.
Princess Kate's Personal Journey with Cancer
Kensington Palace announced Kate's attendance on Tuesday morning. The princess was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024, for which she underwent chemotherapy. She revealed she was in remission 16 months ago, in January 2025. Last month, she returned to international travel by carrying out her first overseas royal visit since her diagnosis, traveling to Reggio Emilia near Bologna, Italy, for a solo working trip focused on her early years initiatives.
The King, who continues to receive treatment for his own undisclosed form of cancer, previously expressed pride in Kate for her courage in speaking openly about her cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Research UK's Legacy and Current Challenges
The charity's work on understanding, preventing, detecting, and treating cancer dates back to the founding of its predecessor organizations: the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (1902) and the Cancer Research Campaign (1923). Despite progress, recent NHS England statistics reveal that one government target for cancer care remains unmet. In March, 72.8% of patients began their first definitive treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or consultant upgrade, up from 68.6% in February but below the 75% target. However, 79.4% of urgently referred patients were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, exceeding the 75% target.
