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The Princess of Wales visits London's Royal Marsden Hospital on January 13." data-image-width="650" data-image-height="433">
Written by Max Foster and Caitlin Danaher for CNN
London (CNN) — Catherine, Princess of Wales carried out a deeply personal engagement on Tuesday, visiting the London hospital where she underwent cancer treatment to express her gratitude to the staff who supported her over the past year.
According to Kensington Palace, the Princess of Wales visited The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Chelsea, west London, where she engaged with medical staff and conversed with patients undergoing treatment.
The palace has also revealed that Catherine will serve as a joint patron of the specialized cancer center, partnering with her husband, Prince William.
Tuesday marked her first solo appearance of the year, as the royal gradually resumes her public engagements without prior announcement.
“A spokesperson from Kensington Palace stated, ‘The princess aimed to embark on this journey not only to express her appreciation for the remarkable team but also to showcase the exceptional care and treatment offered by the Marsden.’”
The royal, who is also known as Kate, stepped back from her public duties last year to undergo treatment for an unspecified cancer. In September, she announced that she had completed her chemotherapy, and said she was “doing what I can to stay cancer free.”
Prince William last week praised his wife and mother of their three children as she celebrated her 43rd birthday, saying “the strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable.”
The Royal Marsden, which opened its doors in 1851, was the first hospital in the world specifically focused on cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and education. Today, it continues to stand as a premier cancer center globally.
Since 2007, Prince William has served as the president of the hospital, a position once held by his late mother, Diana.
As a joint royal patron, it is believed that Kate will advocate for the hospital's efforts in enhancing cancer research, treatment, and care, while also seeking to understand how these advancements can improve patient outcomes in the future.
"The hospital is truly privileged to have Royal Patronage, which serves as a source of inspiration for both our staff and patients. It allows us to highlight the exceptional care our team provides daily to patients and their families," stated Cally Palmer, the chief executive of the hospital.
