Princess Kate revealed that chemotherapy robbed her of the ability to read or maintain focus, leading her to turn to coloring as a therapeutic outlet during cancer treatment. The admission came when she visited The Christie NHS Foundation Trust on June 4, where she met with patients and toured the facility’s treatment areas. Video from the visit gained renewed attention in July, highlighting her frank discussion about the challenges of recovery.
From Diagnosis to Remission
The Princess of Wales publicly disclosed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 after the disease was found during abdominal surgery. Her medical team recommended preventive chemotherapy, though she did not specify the cancer’s type or stage. Following what she described as an exceptionally challenging nine-month period for her family, she announced the completion of chemotherapy in September 2024. By January 2025, she confirmed she was in remission and continuing her recovery.
Finding Comfort in Simple Activities
Speaking candidly with fellow cancer patients at The Christie, Kate described how treatment eliminated her capacity for sustained attention. “I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have the ability to read or really focus on anything,” she said. Coloring offered a low-pressure alternative that allowed her to engage creatively without requiring the concentration that reading demanded.
The princess emphasized that the practice held appeal precisely because it carried no expectations. She described it as “just a way of playing and losing yourself,” free from the need to produce any finished work. This made it a manageable form of artistic engagement during the most difficult phases of her treatment.
Her affinity for adult coloring books was not new. Prince William had previously mentioned his wife’s enjoyment of the activity when presenting Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford with an OBE in 2016. At that time, Basford said the prince told her Kate enjoyed coloring in “Secret Garden,” which she found endearing.
Kate’s academic background in art history from the University of St Andrews and her ongoing involvement with drawing, photography and other creative projects connected to her children and early-childhood initiatives provided a foundation for this creative approach to coping.
Celebrating a Patient’s Final Treatment
During the visit, Kate witnessed a poignant milestone when Claire Lorente, a 30-year-old mother, completed her final breast cancer treatment session. The princess embraced Lorente and acknowledged the difficult journey she had completed, saying, “Well done you — what a journey!” She also hugged Lorente’s partner, recognizing how profoundly cancer affects families and loved ones.
Kate applauded as Lorente rang a bell marking the end of her treatments, telling her that the day belonged to her. The moment echoed the milestone the princess herself had achieved the year before.
Kate’s tour included The Christie’s treatment facilities for chemotherapy patients, a creative studio, outdoor wellness space, and specialized center for adolescent and young adult cancer patients in Manchester. The facility treats more than 60,000 patients each year across Greater Manchester and the surrounding region, combining clinical care with complementary services including creative workshops, therapeutic touch, essential oil therapy, foot therapy, and counseling for psychological and faith-based needs.
While participating in a creative workshop, she observed how creative expression helps patients process the emotional burden of treatment and recovery. She also met individuals undergoing chemotherapy. The hospital provides its creative studio and holistic wellness programs at no cost to those receiving care and their family members, supported by charitable donations.
The resurfaced footage this month has provided an unusually candid glimpse into how the princess managed an illness that disrupted her life. By discussing her reliance on an activity as simple as coloring, Kate shifted focus from the intensity of treatment to the small, quiet methods she used to restore a sense of peace. Her openness about the fatigue, loss of concentration, and coping strategies has resonated deeply with patients facing similar struggles, and her visit to The Christie demonstrated how far her recovery has progressed.
