Davina McCall opens up on ‘liberating’ discussion with Princess Kate as pair share cancer experiences

Princess of Wales and TV presenter Davina McCall spoke about her experiences with cancer at a reception to mark the charity’s 125th anniversary.

The King, who is patron of Cancer Research UK, hosted the event at St James’s Palace in London on Tuesday evening.

At the reception, the King, Queen and Kate met with the charity’s researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

When they arrived at the event, the royal family shook hands with many representatives and supporters of Cancer Research UK, including McCall.

The broadcaster was diagnosed with breast cancer in October last year but said in April that “all is well” now following surgery.

McCall, who had surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in 2024, told Kate it was an “absolute honor” to meet her.

The pair discussed McCall’s cancer experience, with the TV host telling the princess it was “liberating” to talk about it publicly.

He said his meeting with Kate was “really great.”

He said: “It’s been a really wonderful transformation and they (the King, Queen and princess) are all wonderful.

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to go through something like cancer and then have to tell people about it, even though it would be so much easier and nicer to not have to share it with the world.

“And I have to say, after my brain tumor, I didn’t really want to do it myself.”

She later added: “But sharing it and connecting with other people or feeling like I could help really helped me get through it.”

The princess was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024, for which she underwent chemotherapy and was revealed to be in remission 16 months ago in January 2025.

Last month, she returned to international travel, making her first royal visit abroad since facing cancer, heading to Reggio Emilia, near Bologna, Italy, for a solo study trip as part of her early years studies.

The King, who is currently being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, previously said he was “so proud” of Kate’s courage to speak out about her cancer diagnosis.

After meeting various representatives and supporters of the charity, the royals were treated to extensive installations showcasing the work of Cancer Research UK and visual representations showing how technological innovations are transforming research into disease.

The aid organization’s scientific studies officer, Dr. Samuel Godfrey showed the King, Queen and princess how artificial intelligence could help map cancer tumors.

He also told them about the Cancer Grand Challenges project, which unites research teams around the world to make changes against cancer’s toughest and most challenging challenges.

Mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry, who was at the reception, said the King’s supportive message for the Stand Up to Cancer campaign last year had made a “huge difference”.

Charles recorded a special, personal message for the campaign, which aired on Channel 4 in December; In this message, she shared an update about her cancer experience and urged people to get screened.

After meeting the King, Fry said: “We talked about Stand Up to Cancer, which I did last year, which he was a part of, and so we talked about how it makes a huge difference to have someone like him who’s been through it, who’s survived cancer, and who’s had the same experience as a lot of people across the country.”

He added: “And for him to give words of both comfort and encouragement, and to go and attend the screening programs we were running that night, I think that made a huge difference to all of us.”

Fry later said: “But on a more personal level, as someone who has had cancer and I know she has cancer, I know the princess has gone through her own cancer journey, I think there’s something really profound about a family that’s at the top of society and goes through the same trials as the rest of us.”

During the Fight Against Cancer campaign on Channel 4 in December, Fry spoke about her cervical cancer diagnosis, saying it was “caught early enough that it could have been treated during a routine scan”, adding that early diagnosis “literally saved my life”.

At the reception, Kate wore a dress with a white tiny heart pattern, white collar and cuffs, and a red belt.

Her dress was reminiscent of the red and white polka dot jacket worn by the Prince of Wales’s mother, Lady Diana Spencer, during her visit to Tetbury, Gloucestershire, in 1981.

Speaking at the event, Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said the charity aims to invest more than £1bn in research over the next three years.

He said: “As we reflect nearly 125 years of impact, we do so with pride and determination.

“Progress against cancer has always depended on people coming together across disciplines and generations for a common goal.

“It was built by a team of researchers, clinicians, advocates and partners united by a shared determination to save and improve the lives of people affected by cancer and their loved ones.

“Human and collective effort is what has driven progress for more than a century. That is what gives us confidence in the future.”

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended the event, and the duke was joint chairman of the charity.

Also at the reception were presenter Adele Roberts, who is being treated for bowel cancer after being diagnosed in 2021, and Ronan Keating, who has been a leading campaigner for cancer research since losing his mother Marie to breast cancer in 1998.

Cancer Research UK’s work on how cancer is understood, prevented, detected and treated dates back to the founding of earlier organizations (the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign), founded in 1902 and 1923 respectively.