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In a deeply personal video, the Princess of Wales revealed that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment and is focused on remaining cancer-free.
In a stark contrast to usual royal communications, Kate offered a rare insight into the lives of her, Prince William and their three children, offering hope, warmth and a poignant message to all those suffering with cancer.
Giggling with her husband and playing with her three children in a woodland area, the highly personal film reflects the closeness of the Wales family and conveys that throughout her treatment, her inner circle have never left her side.
With Kate hoping to return to light royal duties later this year, the filmographer Will Warr has captured the sense of a new beginning, with natural harvest tones and melancholic music present as the princess promises: “Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”
Here are the key takeaways from Kate’s latest cancer update:
Prince William as her ‘rock’
Together since 2003 and married since 2011, this recent video shows that the Prince and Princess of Wales are going stronger than ever.
In rare displays of affection, William can be seen kissing his wife’s cheek while they laugh together on a wooden log, while she caresses his forehead in another sweet moment while they spend time on a beach in Norfolk.
Throughout the three-minute video, the future king can be seen holding his wife’s hand as they walk alongside their children, before engaging in a game of bat and ball as well as cards. The scene offers a snapshot of a relaxed and happy couple that relish in each other’s company, a far cry from the formality required by state occasions.
Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, are seen to have a close and loving bond with their parents, as the five family members joke and laugh while walking hand-in-hand.
The couple have always made it clear that against the pressures to perform their royal duties and live the public lives, they’ve always tried to put the children first, with this video showing their conviction to always put family first.
The Middleton family a constant support
In one endearing clip, Michael and Carole Middleton can be seen laughing with their grandchildren while playing cards around the kitchen table.
It offers a simple yet poignant insight into the normality Kate has tried to maintain for her children, and reflects her sentiment that it is “the important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved”.
The Wales’s are extremely close to the Middleton family, with Carole dropping the children at school and Kate’s siblings Pippa and James also living nearby.
A source close to the Middleton’s told The Independent in March: “Carole has been the driving force keeping the family together with minimum fuss and maximum modesty.
“She’s ferried and fetched George, Louis and Charlotte, taken them to school sports matches and given them endless support. She’s been a real Mary Poppins-like figure.”
Importance of nature and the outdoors
With a keen appetite for sports and nature, it is no surprise that Kate has decided to share such a personal message while featuring her family roaming around the Norfolk countryside together.
With close-up shots of flora and fauna, the princess can seen looking up while a shaft of sunlight pierces the forest canopy above her as a voiceover movingly talks about her difficult cancer journey.
The video was shot a month ago at the couple’s Sandringham estate, where they usually spent the summer holidays.
In July, she shared on Instagram her thoughts on the healing power of nature, writing: “I know the power of nature to support our development and wellbeing, both by bringing us joy and helping to keep us physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.”
Homage to the late Queen with home videos
Over the course of the video, modern film shooting is interspersed with old-fashioned grainy style footage, evoking memories of home movies filmed by the late Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II was known for filming her family during holidays and trips to Balmoral, often with an old-cine camera, with many clips released upon her death.
In a sign that the Wales family have their finger on the pulse with current trends, Kate opted to use the filmographer Will Warr, who has worked for big brands including Puma and Uber Eats. He is also one half of the popular film production duo TopJaw, which documents the very best places to eat and drink around the UK.
Kate’s new eternity ring
Against a backdrop of harvest colours as Kate walks through a field of wheat, eagle-eyed royal fans spotted her sapphire wedding ring had been replaced with a simple but beautiful eternity ring.
It was first spotted earlier this summer in a video shared by the couple to congratulate Team GB following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Concluding the video with her family alongside her, she says: “Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time.
“Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.”
