William says Kate’s chemo ending is ‘good news but there’s still long way to go’ in first appearance since announcement
PRINCE William has said that Kate’s chemotherapy coming to an end is “good news” but there is still “a long way to go”.
Crowds gathered to show support for the Prince of Wales, 42, today as he arrived in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire for his first appearance since it was revealed that his wife had completed chemotherapy.
He is visiting Swiss Valley Community Primary School, meeting pupils who took part in the 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod – a youth festival of literature, music and performing arts.
The Prince was given handfuls of cards for the Princess of Wales as locals in south Wales told him how pleased they were to see her looking so well.
William took the cards and said “thank you very much,” and “very much appreciated.”
Diane Griffiths, who did not want to give her age, told him: “It was so good to see Catherine looking well, you have a beautiful family.” She said he had replied in Welsh, Diolch, meaning thank you.
William thanked fans outside a primary school who gave their best wishes to wife Kate.
He told Pauline Thomas, 74: “It’s good news but there is still a long way to go.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted a message of thanks on social media, in both the English and Welsh languages.
The couple’s shared account posted a message from William, saying: “Hello, Llanelli! Great to be back in Wales.
“Thanks to the brilliant pupils of Swiss Valley Community Primary School, lovely to see you all”
Underneath, the same message was written in Welsh.
William is going on a ‘walkabout’ greeting local well-wishers delighted by Kate’s video announcement yesterday.
The Prince, as Patron, is also visiting the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters, Llanelli, to mark Air Ambulance Week.
His busy visit will conclude at the home of the Llanelli Scarlets to celebrate the contribution of Welsh female rugby players in support of the Welsh Rugby Union’s “Missing Caps” campaign, ahead of the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
Alan Evans and granddaughter Genevieve, who was sat on his shoulders, met Prince William today.
Alan told him, “We all have our burdens”, and William replied: “Yes, watch your neck.”
William also today revealed he would love to make a ”comeback” and get behind the controls of a helicopter again.
On a flying visit to the headquarters of the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters, he said: “I’d love to fly again, I could volunteer for a weekend to make a come back.”
The Prince revealed there are plans in the pipeline to fly with the Wales Air Ambulance from its base in Cardiff Bay.
He talked shop with the pilots and crew of the £8.5million Airbus H145S chopper, which he is still qualified to fly.
The Prince consoled crew who attended a recent double fatal road traffic accident on Anglesey and wanted to make sure systems were in place to help pilots and crew with their mental health after attending horrific incidents.
He told them: “I made sure all the First Responders after Southport were getting any help they needed.
“It’s important you guys feel supported at the right moment.
“I have always felt that you should get some sort of break from the attritional role of what you are seeing every day.”
William’s trip comes after the Duchess of Cambridge revealed yesterday that she had finished chemotherapy in a new family clip.
The mum-of-three, 42, spoke of her “relief” after finishing her treatment, adding that the last nine months have been “incredibly tough”.
In the touching video, Kate bravely told how she is continuing “to take each day as it comes” following the news.
She spoke of her relief as she lay her head on William’s shoulder.
And the Waleses can also be seen enjoying a picnic and playing games with the Middletons in the Norfolk-filmed clip.
Today keen royalists patiently waited outside a school in Llanelli to give their best wishes to the future king.
They braved strong winds and showers to give cards and gifts to the Prince after the joyous news that Kate had finished her chemo and would be getting back to work.
Sandra Peters, 79, clutched a letter she had written to Kate.
She said: “I just wrote I’m so happy you’re in recovery.
“I’m just a little old lady from Swiss Valley Park.
“I admire your bravery, your family is all so beautiful.”
Maria Derrick, 63, attended Kate and Wills wedding in London, and Prince Charles’ coronation.
She said: “I’ve just had Covid for 10 days but had to get better to be here.
“I’m so glad Kate is on the mend.”
Barry Wilkins, 54, a removals man, put a giant statue of a dragon on his front lawn to welcome the Prince.
He said: “I’m just so glad Kate is getting well again, I’m happy for their family.
“William is our Prince of Wales so I wanted to show our support with the dragon.”
Prince William is visiting Swiss Valley Primary School before meeting the Welsh Air Ambulance crews and then then the local Llanelli rugby team, the Scarlets.
Jane Stoneman’s dad Aubrey Gale captained the Scarlets between 1961-2.
She wrote a letter to give to Princess Kate.
Jane, 61, said: “I’ve written a get well card, how pleased I am to see she’s getting better and how much we all love her and how beautiful she is and her family.”
Earlier this year, Kate revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment in a heartfelt video message.
The Princess of Wales then took a short break from royal duties to recover.
She has more recently revealed how she was “so grateful” for the support she received throughout her cancer journey.
And on September 9, Kate revealed that her cancer treatment is now complete.
She said: “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
The Princess said “doing what I can to stay cancer free” was now her focus as she revealed she still had a way to go to a full recovery.
She also revealed that she was “looking forward” to being back at work as she slowly returns to her public duties in the coming months.
The next time the Princess of Wales is due to be seen in public will be when she joins her family at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
Previously Kate made an appearance at Wimbledon.
On July 14, she presented trophies to players after an intense Grand Slam.
She was also seen at Trooping the Colour on June 15, all while she was undergoing her cancer treatment.
Kate rode in a carriage and waved at the crowd with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and six-year-old Prince Louis, before watching the King’s Birthday Parade.
At this event she appeared with the King, William, and other royals on Buckingham Palace balcony.
On April 29, Wills and Kate marked their 13th anniversary by releasing unseen wedding photos.
It camee after the Princess of Wales first announced on March 22 that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
It was revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment after post-operation tests came back positive.
She underwent major abdominal surgery in London in January which was thought to be non-cancerous at the time.
Kate said: “The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.”
The statement did not confirm what type of cancer the Princess has.
Before her announcement, Kate had been absent from duty since her surgery and had rarely been seen in public.
The princess started chemotherapy at the end of February, according to the Palace, but did so without any publicity.
