VIPs candid about cancer during surprise NHS visit

THE Prince and Princess of Wales surprised hero health workers and volunteers yesterday and Catherine hinted at their own "daunting" experience when she had cancer.

- BY EMILY FERGUSON Royal Editor

The royals were met by “Wows” as they walked into a canteen at London's Charing Cross Hospital, where staff were taking a tea break.

William greeted them with: “Happy New Year!” then jokingly looked at his watch and said: “Can we still say that?” He was due to make the visit solo but Catherine decided to join him at the last minute to show her support for the NHS.

The couple were there to thank the team for working through another difficult winter period.

They sat with them at tables of snacks and heard how volunteers support cancer patients.

Catherine, who is 44 today, is in remission after treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea in 2024. She described it as “quite a daunting experience”.