THE Princess of Wales’s visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital to thank staff who cared for her last year is a poignant way of closing the door on a “brutal” period of her life and looking forward with optimism.

But spending time sharing experiences with other patients undergoing cancer treatment says that she is committed to words she spoke in March last year announcing her diagnosis when she told others dealing with the disease “you are not alone”.

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Princess Kate talks with Katherine Field during a visit to The Royal Marsden HospitalCredit: Getty

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The royal returned to the hospital that treated her for cancerCredit: Getty

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Kate hugs Rebecca Mendelhson during the visitCredit: Getty

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The royal talks with patient Peter BurtonCredit: Getty
And today, alongside William, she has become patron of the NHS Foundation, proving these are not empty words.

Although it is always welcome to see the princess at royal engagements, this visit is part of a gradual return and does not herald a return to the volume of work we saw before her illness.

This was a pilgrimage to her old hospital as part of her personal journey to help reflect on everything that has happened over the past 12 months.

Arriving at the cancer centre she remarked on the novelty of walking in through the front entrance of the hospital.

She has visited the hospital many times during her chemotherapy but without cameras in tow.

She wanted to use her enormous presence and fame to shine a light on the work that the hospital does and show her “gratitude” to the “incredible team” and highlight the world leading care.

But the hour-long visit achieved more than this as patients – some undergoing the same treatment as Kate – had a morale-boosting visit from the princess who was able to share experiences, fears and hopes.

She sat with patients and spoke about their diagnosis and care while engrossed in everything they had to say and willing to chip in with her own thoughts and stories from her treatment.

We have seen the princess gradually return to work appearing at Trooping the Colour, Wimbledon, Remembrance Sunday and her Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

But in visiting the cancer centre where she was treated the princess can now draw a line under 2025 – but to never forget its impact on her life.

Speaking in September, Kate described the cancer as “incredibly tough for us as a family” and described her journey “complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone”.

And these are thoughts that everyone she met today no doubt shares.

But as Kate said “out of darkness, can come light”, and by visiting the Royal Marsden to speak to staff and patients she is proof of those words.

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Kate arrives for her visit at the London hospitalCredit: Getty

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Kate heads into the ward to meet patientsCredit: Reuters

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The princess meets Scout the therapy dogCredit: Getty

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Kate speaks to care professionalsCredit: The Sun