The Princess of Wales has been included within TIME’s “Catalyst” group for publicly announcing her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 – as well as for drawing global awareness to the disease. The reveal of the TIME100 Health list comes just weeks after Meghan Markle spoke on stage at the TIME100 Summit in New York City.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, discussed her three major latest projects – her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, her lifestyle brand As ever and her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast. The Duke, 40, and Duchess of Sussex were previously on the cover of TIME for their inclusion in its Most Influential People list in 2021 – and the royal even joined his wife at the summit last month.
TIME has praised Kate’s bravery in sharing that she was receiving cancer treatment, as well as going around the Royal Family’s traditional tight-lipped approach to releasing medical information and commended the mum-of-three on how she reduced her royal duties to concentrate on her health.
The publication wrote: “As a popular public figure, [Kate] Middleton’s revelation brought significant attention to cancer awareness and treatment, including the rise in early-onset cancers in patients under age 50.
“Her decision to focus on her recovery by taking nine months away from public duties also reignited conversations about the importance of self-care and strong support networks that can ease healing and speed the return to normal activities.”
They also added that Prince William’s wife had “became a beacon for cancer patients, and inspired others to address their own health.”
In her video from September 2024, which revealed that Kate was in remission, the royal said: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey — I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand… Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine through.”
In her speech at the event on April 23, Meghan spoke of her husband and their two children – Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, three.
She said: “To have a partner and a husband who is so supportive and have healthy kids who are so joyful… I never would have imagined at this point I would feel so happy and grateful, and I really do.”
During her appearance, Meghan was also asked by Jessica Sibley – the Chief Executive Officer of TIME – to share a “confession” – as inspired by her podcast.
She said: “A confession for you today that I can very comfortably say is that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” the Duchess of Sussex said when Jessica Sibley, the Chief Executive Officer of TIME, asked her to share a “confession” as inspired by the title of her new Lemonada Media podcast.