Kate is all smiles with Davina McCall as she and Charles thank Brits leading the nation’s battle against cancer after their own diagnoses

The King and Princess of Wales personally thanked those leading the nation’s fight against cancer at St James’s Palace tonight.

Charles, 77, and his daughter-in-law Catherine, 44, who share an enviable bond over the diagnosis of the disease, attended a reception hosted by Queen Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to honor Cancer Research UK’s 125th anniversary.

Her Royal Highness and the Princess were diagnosed within weeks of each other in 2024.

While the King was still undergoing undisclosed treatment, Catherine revealed that she was undergoing a period of chemotherapy, which ended in late summer of that year.

In January 2025, he happily announced his recovery but spoke of the great toll it had taken on him physically and warned that his return to public duties would be slow and measured.

During the reception, the royal family met Cancer Research UK’s researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The charity’s fellow cancer survivors Davina McCall, Hannah Fry and Adele Roberts were also in attendance, as well as high-profile supporters including singer Ronan Keating and his wife Storm, who lost his mother to cancer.

The reception featured impressive installations showcasing the charity’s work, including its past impact, current work and future innovations.

Catherine, 44, shares her enviable bond with King Charles over his diagnosis

The Princess of Wales has been welcomed by researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in Cancer Research UK’s work

At one point during the busy reception, Queen Camilla walked up to the Princess of Wales and hugged her.

The King and Queen then watched visual representations showing how technological innovations are transforming cancer research, including the use of artificial intelligence to detect signs of the disease.

The reception was held to launch Cancer Research UK’s 125th anniversary; their work dated back to the founding of the charity’s predecessor organizations (the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign, founded in 1902 and 1923 respectively).

Since then the charity has helped transform the understanding, prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.

This progress has contributed to a doubling of cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years, and today 8 in 10 people taking cancer medicines in the UK are taking a medicine developed by or in conjunction with Cancer Research UK.

The King has been Patron of Cancer Research UK since 2024. Her Majesty’s patronage was announced to coincide with a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Center to highlight some of the innovative research supported by Cancer Research UK.

The Duke of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra are joint chairmen of the charity.

Kate wore a detachable floral midi dress by Rodarte, worth £1,600.

He also spoke to Dame Deborah James, widow of ‘gut baby’ Dame Deborah James, who was honored by Prince William for her incredible fundraising and campaigning against incurable bowel cancer.

Dame Deborah received her decoration from the future king in a private ceremony at her family home in May 2022 and died a few weeks later.

Her husband Sebastian Bowen told the Princess: ‘I think of you a lot.’

Catherine praised Deborah for the ‘impact of her work’ and listened intently as Mr Bowen described how ‘bittersweet’ it was to exceed fundraising targets for research and clinical trials into the disease his wife had dreamed of achieving.

She also appeared to be thanking William for his sympathetic chat with the couple’s two children.

The princess replied: ‘That’s fine.’

Mr Bowen later said: ‘I told him I was incredibly impressed by how supportive they were as a family and that they were always thinking of them.

‘Having the opportunity to meet them, provide ongoing support and be given to the fund both privately and publicly was deeply moving and moving for me and my family.’

Dame Deborah’s father Alistair James also spoke to the royal family.

After chatting to Camilla, he said: ‘She congratulated us on everything we achieved with the funding.’

He also met the Princess and said afterwards: ‘I met Catherine for the first time, she was friendly and warm. I met William and I have great respect for them both.’

Among those who spoke to the Princess of Wales at the reception was cancer survivor Davina McCall

Reception held to mark Cancer Research UK’s 125th anniversary

Meanwhile, TV presenter Davina McCall said her meeting with the Princess of Wales at the Cancer Research UK reception was ‘really wonderful’.

Miss McCall was introduced to the princess on Tuesday evening by Dr Ian Walker, the charity’s chief executive of policy, information and communications.

Mrs McCall said: ‘It’s been a truly 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 not to have to share it with the world.

‘And I have to say, after my brain tumour, I didn’t really want to have to do it myself.’

She later added: ‘But sharing it, connecting with other people or feeling like I could help really helped me get through it.’

Ms. McCall had surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in 2024.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in October last year and had surgery to remove a lump, but said in April that ‘everything is fine’ now.

After Charles asked her about her cancer, Davina was heard saying: “I’m so grateful” and telling him “anything is possible”.

He also had a long chat with Kate and said ‘it was such an honour’ when he met the Princess.

Ms McCall said: ‘It was such an honor to meet the Princess of Wales; I’m a huge fan of everything he’s done and everything he represents and his role in speaking about his journey and how difficult it has been. “He is very brave.”

Davina McCall was all smiles as she met King Charles and Queen Camilla at the reception

Singer Ronan Keating, who lost his mother to cancer, was seen talking to the King with his wife Storm.

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, were seen talking animatedly with Davina McCall.

The Princess of Wales shares a fun moment with guests at the reception

The Princess of Wales shares a moment of empathy with a guest at the event on Tuesday night

Hannah Fry, who appeared on Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer last year, where King made a significant statement revealing his treatment had been tapered, also chatted at length with Charles.

The scientist and broadcaster gave the all clear after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.

She later said: ‘We talked about Stand Up to Cancer, which I did last year, and how much of a difference it made.

‘It’s huge to hear that someone like him, who has been through this and is a cancer survivor, has had the same experience as so many people in the county, and has words of encouragement for him to take part in the screening programme.

‘On a simple personal level, I think there’s something really profound about a family at the top of society and going through the same things as the rest of us; It’s very humanizing and being willing to talk to people on the same level as them makes a big difference.’

DJ and broadcaster Adele Roberts, who was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer and is now cancer-free, also attended the event.

In a lighter moment, pop star Ronan Keating was heard telling Kate: “Please say hello to William.”

His wife, Storm Keating, added: “He’s such a kind man,” before Ronan said: “Yes, we love him.”

Kate then made the pair laugh by replying: ‘So am I.’