Sarah Ferguson reveals cancer's impact on Royal Family
Watch: Sarah Ferguson reveals cancer's impact on royal family
The Duchess of York has spoken about how King Charles III and the Princess of Wales are coping with their cancer diagnoses, after she faced her own cancer journey last year.
In her latest appearance on ITV’s This Morning, Sarah Ferguson praised the King and Kate for their strength as they both continue to undergo cancer treatment.
It comes as Kate made a surprise appearance during a visit to Southport alongside the Prince of Wales, to meet the families of the three girls who died following the tragic knife attack in July. It marks her first community visit meeting members of the public since the end of 2023.
Ferguson herself was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Reflecting on her diagnosis, Ferguson said: "The worst thing is the fear of your own mind. I went through it thinking it was my demise. From the Royal Free Hospital to the next hospital, I thought, ‘That’s it’."
Ferguson spoke positively of Kate, who announced in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was in the "early stages" of preventative chemotherapy. The princess’s diagnosis came after she underwent major abdominal surgery in January. In September, it was announced that she has completed chemotherapy treatment and is now cancer-free.
She released a new video featuring her, William and their three children to share the news, which Ferguson described as "just incredible".
"I was so moved, it was beautiful," the duchess said, adding that Kate is "showing the world what it is to really look after yourself and self love in order to help others".
"I think that’s extraordinary, what she’s doing," Ferguson continued.
The 64-year-old also praised the King, and said that going through cancer has given both Charles and herself a better ability to listen and empathise with other cancer patients.
In February, Buckingham Palace announced the King had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer, which was discovered during an unrelated procedure for an enlarged prostate. He stayed away from public duties for a period while undergoing treatment, but has now resumed them. In April, it was announced that the King became the patron of Cancer Research UK.
In a visit to the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College London, the monarch sat down with and spoke to cancer patients about the "shock" of hearing a cancer diagnosis and sympathised with those receiving treatment.
Ferguson said: "I loved when the King went to Cancer Research UK and actually sat on the sofa [with patients] and it’s coming from a place of empathy because he does understand."
She recalled spending time talking to a cancer patient at a hospital recently, adding: "It was the first time when I was sitting with someone and [I’m] not just [saying], ‘I understand’ - patronising - but it’s, ‘I know’.
"I think to be able to talk about it is real, and we have to."
Watch: Kate, Princess of Wales, announces she has concluded chemotherapy treatment
Read more about cancer:
King Charles' superfood he’s started eating amid his cancer recovery journey (Gloucestershire Live, 2-min read)
Kate Middleton Shares Deeply Personal Update On Her Cancer Battle (HuffPost, 3-min read)
‘The symptom that led to my breast cancer diagnosis’ (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
