Kate Middleton gets special new role as she returns to work with emotional solo trip
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The Princess of Wales returned to the spotlight to carry out her first solo engagement in more than a year today. Bravely returning to the hospital where she recieved cancer treatment, Kate hugged a patient and thanked staff for their support throughout her 'tough' journey.
The visit was made even more poignant as it saw the Princess announce that she will serve as joint Royal Patron alongside Prince William. It is a deeply personal move for the couple as the Patronage of the hospital was previously held by Diana, Princess of Wales.
Of the visit, a royal source said: "The princess 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.". During her visit Kate, who was dressed in a long dark brown tartan coat and burgundy polo neck and skirt, said as she arrived at the hospital's main entrance: "I was just saying, coming in the front entrance here, having made so many quiet, private visits, actually it's quite nice.".
One woman told the princess as she sat with patients and their families on the ward: "I think you've managed the children amazingly well," to which Kate replied: "Oh that's kind." The princess added: "The treatments are really so different and so varied, it impacts families differently.".
The visit to the Marsden comes two days before the first anniversary of Kate's admittance to the London Clinic for major abdominal surgery on January 16, 2024. She spent nearly two weeks in hospital after the operation, before a secondary cancer diagnosis was discovered and she began chemotherapy.
