When Even Kate Middleton Says It’s Hard - by Mariana Arnaut
- Mariana Arnaut
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
We hadn’t talked much about Kate Middleton’s cancer journey until recently. The Royal Family has kept her diagnosis and treatment details mostly private. What the public has seen are short glimpses with curated videos and careful messaging. But despite the lack of transparency, it’s hard not to be moved.
Her most recent video hit home. In it, she speaks candidly about what the road to recovery has been like. And it made one thing very clear: everyone needs survivorship support. Everyone. Even Kate.
She has access to the best doctors, the best hospitals, the best of everything. Yet what she shared is exactly what I’ve heard from countless patients—again and again:
“The road to recovery is difficult.”
“The whole experience is a rollercoaster.”
“Getting back to normal is hard.”
“I’m no longer in touch with my medical team, but I’m also not functional at home like I used to be.”
“This phase is lonely, and support would be so valuable.”
These words echo in our community every day.
And in some ways, it breaks my heart. Because if someone like Kate Middleton doesn’t get that support, what does that say about what’s available for everyone else? At the same time, her vulnerability gives me strength. It reminds me why we’re building what we’re building.
At The After Cancer, our mission is to show up in exactly that gap. We know survivorship isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. The time after treatment isn’t a simple return to normal. It’s a whole new stage that requires care, support, and compassion. And right now, it’s the most overlooked part of the cancer experience.
I appreciate how Kate is managing public expectations. She’s choosing not to attend some of her usual royal events. She’s making space for healing. That’s something we always suggest to our patients—listen to your body, set boundaries, protect your energy.
I hope her words spark new conversations around what survivorship really looks like. Because cancer doesn’t end with treatment. And recovery isn’t something anyone should have to figure out alone.
