Princess Kate is an “inspiration” in how she has handled her cancer diagnosis and treatment on the world stage, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has said.
The duchess, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and skin cancer in January 2024, praised Kate during an appearance on U.K. panel show, Loose Women, on Wednesday.
Kate announced in a video statement back in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving a course of “preventive chemotherapy,” after stepping out of the public eye in January to undergo abdominal surgery.
This news followed an announcement from Buckingham Palace in February that King Charles III had also been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
Asked about the king and princess during her Loose Women appearance, Fergie said: “I think the great example they have set is they’ve spoken about it themselves, haven’t they?”
“I thought Princess Catherine was so wonderful with the video and so brave and courageous and such a wonderful mother and such an inspiration to us all and the nation,” she said.
The praise for the princess comes as no definitive timeline for her return to public duties has been given by Kensington Palace. In May, a spokesperson for the royal stated: “The princess is not expected to return to work until it’s cleared by her medical team.”
The last time Kate appeared at an official public event was on Christmas Day in 2023. She was due to appear at a military ceremony on June 8 known as the Colonel’s Review of Trooping the Colour, a rehearsal for the main event the following week which marks Charles’ official birthday.
Earlier this month, Kensington Palace confirmed that Kate would not take part in the event and instead will be represented by a senior army veteran.
Charles has increased his public appearances in recent weeks, building up to Trooping which will take place on June 15.
The 75-year-old monarch was cleared to resume his public duties in April while he continues his treatment for cancer.
On Wednesday, he attended a commemoration event in the city of Portsmouth, England, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings. He will also undertake his first overseas visit since his cancer diagnosis on Thursday, when he will be joined by Queen Camilla at anniversary events held in Normandy, France.
Speaking about her former brother-in-law, Fergie praised his “authentic honesty” to Loose Women panelists, going on to add that “family unity” was paramount during illnesses.
The duchess and Andrew divorced in 1996 after 10 years of marriage. They currently live together at the Royal Lodge in the grounds of Windsor Great Park and have two adult children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
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