Princess Kate's meaningful gesture at cancer hospital that everyone missed
The Princess of Wales carried out a very personal engagement today by visiting the Royal Marsden Hospital, the place where she received her cancer treatment - and an expert says one tiny gesture during the outing gave away a huge detail about Kate's
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The Princess of Wales carried out a very personal engagement today by visiting the Royal Marsden Hospital, the place where she received her cancer treatment - and an expert says one tiny gesture during the outing gave away a huge detail about Kate'sVideo Loading
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Kate Middleton greets dog and well-wishers as she leaves Royal Marsden Hospital
The Princess of Wales performed a subtle yet powerful gesture during her visit to a cancer hospital that showed a huge change, according to an expert.
Kate, 43, paid a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where she received her own cancer treatment, to thank the staff for their care and to chat to patients about their cancer journies. The princess talked to four patients on one of the wards, sharing her own experience about the tough treatment. She later revealed in a personal message on social media that she is in remission. And during the emotional outing, body language expert Judi James told the Mirror, Kate's demeanour spoke volumes about her feelings.
The Princess of Wales at the Royal Marsden Hospital (
Image:
Getty Images)
Kate shared her experience of her cancer journey (
Image:
PA)
Judi explained: "Kate's body language here shows how much this was a very personal visit for her as well as a more royal one to show her thanks. One strong factor defining a change of emotional state comes with the constantly and emphatically raised eyebrows.
"This shows a prime desire for Kate to share and to communicate. Like many patients, Kate seems to be overwhelmed by the desire to discuss, tell and share experiences.
"She talks a lot during her meeting with the staff during the seated discussion, and although she frequently throws her hands out in what looks like an invitation to respond, she rather sweetly seems so keen to share her own thoughts and feelings with people with whom she now has a unique bond.
"Her gestures are animated and more exaggerated than usual and this also suggests a strong desire to register gratitude, plus some excitement at being able to do so."
Kate chats to cancer patient Katherine Field at the Royal Marsden (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
But despite the personal nature of the engagement, Judi says Kate also stuck to the royal playbook although with a twist. She added: "She performs the usual royal meet and greet rituals, but this shapes up as primarily a more personal visit.
"She poses happily for the bank of staff cameras and she bends to the floor to stroke the dog but it's the immersed chats, hugs and meaningful touches with the other patients that seem most important to her, thanks to the authentic empathy of shared experience during what will have been one of the most emotional times of all their lives."
Following yesterday's visit, Kate described her 'relief' at being in remission and said "there is much to look forward to". It is the first time Kate has used the word remission to describe where she is in her cancer journey.
The princess said, in her message which was signed C: "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support." She also thanked the Royal Marsden for its "exceptional" care and for "looking after me so well".
"My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldnât have asked for me,â the princess added. In September, Kate told how "doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus" as she announced the end of her chemotherapy treatment.
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