Princess Kate Middleton opened up about the side effects of chemo when she visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, which is where she received treatment amid her own cancer battle.

The Princess of Wales, 43, made a rare public outing to the hospital on Tuesday, January 14. Not only did Kate thank the hospital staff for their care and support after she was diagnosed with cancer, but she also took time to meet several of the patients as they underwent chemotherapy.

“You think treatment’s finished, crack on with that … daily tasks, but that’s still like a real challenge,” Kate told staff during the visit, per the Daily Mail. “And talking… the words totally disappear… understanding that as a patient, yes there are side effects around treatment, but actually there are more long-term side effects.”

After noting that the “continuity” of holistic care “is so important, on good days and bad days,” Kate continued, “I feel like it’s sometimes for the loved ones around us. They need support just as much as I did as the patient.”

Also during the visit, Kate acknowledged that chemo also heavily impacts the family of the patient. “The treatments are really so different and so varied, it impacts families differently,” she said during the visit, according to the BBC. “I was just saying, coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it’s quite nice.”

Meanwhile, a Kensington Palace spokesman explained that Kate “wanted to make the journey to both show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides.”

Following her visit to the hospital, it was announced that Kate and husband Prince William have become joint patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

“We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to The Royal Marsden in Chelsea this morning, and are delighted that Her Royal Highness is now joining His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in becoming Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre,” Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said.

After noting that they were “incredibly fortunate to receive Royal Patronage,” Cally said that it was “inspiring for staff and patients and enables us to shine a light on the outstanding work our staff deliver every day for patients and their families.”

“The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education,” the statement continued. “Today, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre operating across three sites in Chelsea, Sutton and Cavendish Square in central London.”

Kate announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer in March 2024 after fans noticed that she had stepped out of the spotlight. Six months later, she revealed that she completed chemotherapy in September of that year.

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she said in a video alongside William, 42, and their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.”

Kate continued, “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”