Kate Middleton’s visit to the London hospital where she received cancer treatment last year had a real impact, but one cancer patient says there is no need for the royal family to reveal her diagnosis.
Angela Terry met the Princess of Wales during her emotional stay at the Royal Marsden Hospital on Jan. 14 and tells PEOPLE exclusively that Kate’s presence provided a huge boost.
“She was there to thank the people who cared for her, to talk to patients who were in a similar situation,” Terry tells PEOPLE. “It was a great message of hope because she looked so good. We don’t need to know what kind of cancer she had. We just know that she went through surgery, she went through chemotherapy — and a year later, God, look, here she is.”
Kate Middleton and Angela Terry at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on January 14, 2025.
EGFR+ Lung Cancer UK/Instagram
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Terry, 71, was diagnosed with EGFR-positive lung cancer in 2019 and serves as non-executive chairman of EGFR Positive UK, a mutation-driven lung cancer charity. She was at the Royal Marsden for treatment on Tuesday when she met Princess Kate, who made a surprise appearance there to “show her gratitude to the amazing team, but also to highlight the world-leading care and treatment Marsden provides,” a Kensington Palace spokesman said. .
It was then confirmed that Princess Kate was receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden during her cancer journey and became a patron of the hospital with Prince William. The princess has been out of the spotlight for most of 2024 to focus on her health after announcing last March that she was undergoing treatment for an unknown form of cancer. Kate said at the time that the cancer was discovered during abdominal surgery she had that January, a procedure the palace described as “planned”.
In September, she announced with “relief” that she had finished chemotherapy and after the hospital ended on January 14, she said she was in remission.
Terry told PEOPLE that she respected that Princess Kate shared that she was in remission after visiting the Royal Marsden out of consideration for all the patients she encountered.
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Kate Middleton and Angela Terry at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on January 14, 2025.
EGFR+ Lung Cancer UK/Instagram
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“It might have been difficult if she had come to talk about her experience of remission first because some people who are really, really sick might never experience remission and it would have felt awkward. But she decided to do it after she left, which speaks volumes.” says the head of the charity.
“When I read later that day that Kate is in remission, it doesn’t mean she’s over it. This disease changes you, but it also gives you a chance to think, ‘Okay, who am I now? Who do I want to be?’ ” she explains. “It’s an opportunity to be true to yourself and decide to let go of certain things, friendships or other things that no longer make sense. It’s such a strange disease, it stops you and makes you evaluate and reevaluate your life which can be exciting.”
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Kate Middleton at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on January 14, 2025.
Chris Jackson/Getty
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The charity’s chair tells PEOPLE she was a “fan” of Princess Kate at first, “but she was a lot more than I expected her to be” about her behavior when meeting everyone.
“She has such poise and elegance, so genuine and genuine. She’s very personable. I’ve watched her talk to other patients and she’s amazing,” says Terry. “She has this gentle eye contact as she talks, reaches out and maybe touches their shoulder or holds their hand and her smile is always there. The level of connection she makes with every person she meets is phenomenal.”
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Peter Burton and Kate Middleton at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on January 14, 2025.
Chris Jackson/Getty
Terry was diagnosed with stage IV EGFR positive lung cancer after a skiing accident six years ago, when a related X-ray revealed he had a malignant tumor that was later confirmed to be cancer.
“My cancer is terminal, but treatable and I’m on medication to keep the cancer under control, but at some point the cancer will mutate and find a way around it,” Terry tells PEOPLE, adding that she is “very good” with her health today.
The lawyer was at the Royal Marsden receiving care when she crossed paths with Princess Kate, who surprised her with kindness.
“I’m still buzzing, it was so random because I was literally the next one to bleed. I just caught her eye as she walked by and said ‘You look amazing’ because she looked, she looked fantastic considering everything she’s been through and she just smiled and said ‘You too,’” Terry tells PEOPLE.
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Source: HIS Education