Princess Kate Middleton shared an emotional moment with a cancer patient during a recent royal outing.
“Well done, you,” Kate, 44, could be heard telling 30-year-old Claire Lorente, a woman gearing up to ring the bell following her final cancer treatment, on Thursday, June 4. “What an amazing day.”
The two shared a sweet hug during Kate’s visit to the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. According to video footage shared on social media, Kate could be seen speaking with Lorente as she rubbed the woman’s arm in a gesture of support.
Their conversation was muffled, however, Kate could be heard asking about Lorente’s treatment, noting that it was a “milestone” she got to ring the bell. (Ringing the bell is a celebratory moment for cancer patients, signifying a major development in their treatment.)
Kate also hugged the man standing beside Lorente, offering him a message as well.
“Well done,” the Princess of Wales said. “I know it’s just as hard for family and loved ones.”
She added, “You go through it with us.”
Kate stood off to the side and clapped with a huge smile on her face as Lorente rang the bell on Thursday.
Kate is currently in remission after being diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer. The royal family member went public with her diagnosis in March 2024, sharing major updates on her health journey with royal watchers every few months. By January 2025, Kate announced that she was in remission.
“It is a relief to now be in remission,” she shared via Instagram at the time. “And I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am, however, looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to.”
The Princess of Wales has continued to reflect on her cancer journey during several public outings. According to Hello! Magazine, she spoke about how cancer impacts not only the patient but their family as well during Thursday’s outing.
“I was just saying, it’s hard for the loved ones,” she could be heard saying while speaking with a patient, noting that the illness “changes your perspective.”
“You need to support yourself alongside all the things you can’t control. Your body changes so much, not just physically, emotionally, but the deeper side of ourselves,” Kate added. “It puts so much in perspective and you hold onto what’s important.”
