london - The Princess of Wales said on Tuesday her cancer was in remission after spending a day supporting other cancer patients at the hospital where she was being treated.

In a statement on social media, she expressed her gratitude to everyone who has helped her and her husband, Prince William, through treatment and recovery. Earlier, the princess, often known simply as Kate, embraced patients at London's Royal Marsden Hospital and described her treatment as "excellent".

In a note signed with her initials C, the 43-year-old princess wrote: "I am relieved to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery. Anyone who has gone through a cancer diagnosis knows , it will take time to recover and adapt to the new normal. "

Remission is good news, but it doesn't necessarily mean the cancer is cured. This could mean that the treatment has eliminated all measurable cancer. This is called complete remission. Or it could mean the treatment has eliminated at least half of the cancer. This is called partial remission.

The American Cancer Society says the reduction in tumor size must last for at least a month to be considered a response.

Tuesday's statement marked the first official update on her condition since September, when Kate said she had completed chemotherapy. The princess has yet to reveal the type of cancer she has received.

During her solo treatment at the Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer center renowned for its groundbreaking research, Kate thanked the medical team for their support and spoke to other patients receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

The princess hugged Tina Adumou, who sobbed and told Kate that her 19-year-old daughter was in intensive care. Kate put her arms around her, expressed sympathy, and told Adumu that her daughter was in the best of circumstances.

"I'm sorry, I wish I could have been more helpful," Kate said. “I wanted to come over and show my support for the great work that’s going on here and for the people who are going through treatment and going through such a difficult time.”

But then she offered encouragement.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel," she said. "Nice to meet you and wish you good luck. You are in the best care."

The princess also shared her experience with 45-year-old Catherine Field. She pointed to her arms and chest and discussed the port mechanism for drug flow.

"I'm very attached to it," joked Kate, who was almost reluctant to remove it when she was told she no longer needed it.

The Princess of Kensington Palace's office stressed that although her cancer is in remission, she will continue to gradually resume public engagements. Buckingham Palace said the visit reflected her "personal cancer journey".

Tuesday's announcement is welcome news for the royal family, which has been hit by health issues over the last year. The medical journey began last January, when royal officials announced that King Charles III would undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate and Kate would undergo abdominal surgery.

In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles was being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer. Six weeks later, Kate said she was also undergoing treatment for cancer, quelling endless speculation about her condition that had been circulating on social media since the surgery.

The royal family is under tremendous pressure. With two of the most famous royals ill and Prince William taking time off to support his wife, the rest of the Windsor royal family has had to juggle the endless public appearances demanded by the British public.

But 76-year-old Charles and Kate slowly returned to work after receiving treatment.

In September, the princess announced that she had completed chemotherapy and appeared in a video with her husband and children in which she expressed "relief" at the development.

"As you know, life can change in an instant and we have to find a way to cope with storms and unknown paths," she said in the video, which was filmed in a woodland near a family's summer home in Norfolk. Photographed. .

Although Kate gave up most of her public duties during her treatment, she made a few appearances last year, including attending the King's Birthday parade in June, known as Trooping the Color, and later at Wimbledon in July In the men's final, she received a standing ovation.

Kate said: “To all of you who are continuing your own cancer journey, I remain shoulder to shoulder with you and hand in hand.”

The hospital visit comes on the one-year anniversary of Kate's major abdominal surgery when she entered a London clinic on January 16, 2024. She spent two weeks recuperating in hospital and was recuperating at home when she was told she needed to start surgery. Chemotherapy.

William described 2024 as "brutal" and possibly the "toughest year" of his life.

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AP Medical Writer Kara K. Johnson contributed to this report.