“Speaking to Kate, who herself has been through cancer, was really special – it felt like she could genuinely empathise with me and what I’m going through.”
Discussing how it felt to meet the royal, he said: “When you see the Royal Family on TV, they are carrying out a role – but Kate was extremely personable, genuinely interested in what I had to say and took time one-on-one with me and every patient.
“She visited the day unit, which is where people are actually having treatment, so it was business as usual, which made it even more genuine and made you realise she was there because she genuinely wanted to be there and not just for a photo opportunity.”
Peter – who finished his treatment at The Royal Marsden in December – continued: “We spoke about how often people think about cancer patients rather than the family looking after them which can be difficult – it was something she was really able to relate to having felt the same with her husband and children. It was also nice to learn that Kate herself was treated at the Royal Marsden – it means she can really relate to patients like me.”
Today’s visit was Kate’s first solo engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March 2024.
Upon her visit, Kensington Palace revealed the Princess would join William as joint royal patron of the Marsden. This role was previously held by the late Princess Diana., who died aged 36 in 1997.