'I didn't meet the Princess of Wales. I met the woman. I met the mother.'
Patients at Royal Marsden Hospital received a huge surprise today when Catherine, Princess of Wales, walked through the doors. The royal paid a special visit to the hospital in London – the same hospital where Catherine herself was treated for cancer – to hear how the funds raised by her completion of the National Three Peaks Challenge were making a difference for those in treatment.
While there, Catherine, 44, spoke with fellow mother and cancer survivor Hasna, who has told Good Housekeeping about the experience, with her quotes ahead. In 2006, Hasna was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was later told the cancer had spread and that she had just 18 months to live.
It was treatment at Royal Marsden Hospital that meant Hasna is still with us today. This week, the 52-year-old was able to see her granddaughter attending her first day of nursery – something that Hasna will never 'take for granted'.
'I get to experience life,' Hasna told Good Housekeeping. 'Because of the five clinical trials, including the one I'm on right now, I have been stable for five years. I don't know how to explain it – Royal Marsden is the only place where I've received that feeling of no longer being just a hospital number; the staff knows me as Hasna.'
Meeting the Princess of Wales was an incredibly special moment. In a one-on-one chat, Catherine and Hasna talked about motherhood, the treatment at Royal Marsden, and how they live with hope and gratitude. 'I didn't meet the Princess of Wales,' says Hasna. 'I met the woman. I met the mother. I met the woman who sits in the evening thinking "I need to take my children to school in the morning". We looked into each other's eyes and found a certain kind of shared knowledge, nodding our heads together.'
What to read next
'We spoke about living with hopefulness,' Hasna continues, 'and what that could look like. We spoke about how clinical trials can mean so many different things to different people, and it meaning life for me. You could see her kindness, her appreciation, her presence. When she held my hand and we looked at each other, it made me feel: "Wow, she is really doing what she sets out to do." It was really meaningful.'
Along with her conversations with Royal Marsden patients, the Princess of Wales was able to hear about the impact of her incredible feat of climbing the three highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales within 24 hours, back in June. Kate took part in the challenge to highlight the importance of holistic care and support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to help people to heal, recover and live beyond a diagnosis.
During the visit, the Princess heard about progress for The Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery and saw the site where it will be built. The Princess also met patients currently undergoing treatment, and heard how holistic care – integrating physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing – can enhance recovery and healing.
The Princess of Wales, who became Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust alongside the Prince of Wales in 2025, following her own personal cancer journey, shared: 'This was my small way of being able to give back and say thank you to you. I had incredible care here and support from a huge team and I'm really, really grateful on a personal level. But also the holistic care, the treatments and therapeutic support alongside the clinical pathway is so important. It makes a big difference.'
The royal continued: 'The impact of nature, the impact of good nutrition, good ongoing support around you when it's really difficult to manage the trials and tribulations of medical treatments... it makes a big difference. It made a big difference to me and it made a huge difference to lots of patients who I've spoken to. Thank you and well done. I think it will be transformative not only for patients but for families, too.'
Mairead Griffin, Chief Nurse at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Our patients were delighted to meet Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales and to speak with her about the difference supportive therapies at The Royal Marsden have made to them during and after cancer treatment. The Princess’s continued support means so much to everyone at The Royal Marsden, and her visit has given a real boost to patients, staff and the wider hospital community.'
Natalie was another cancer patient who was able to talk to the Princess during the visit. She shared: 'The Royal Marsden is a truly special place. Throughout my treatment, my clinical team has not only cared for my physical health but has also supported me as a person, helping me navigate life with cancer and managing the side effects of treatment.'
