STORY: :: The impact of King Charles and Princess Kate speaking openly about cancer has been huge, says a charity CEO
:: June 10 2025
:: London, England
:: July 9, 2025
:: Laura Lee, Maggie’s CEO
“For the king, talking as a man and talking about the living with an ongoing treatment of cancer, that has helped men talk about cancer … we saw last year a 12% increase of men coming into Maggie’s Centers directly as a result of the king being open about his cancer diagnosis.”
:: July 2, 2025
:: Colchester, England
“I think what Princess Kate has brought to it is a different experience, now she’s talking about having finished her treatment but still having to live with the ongoing impacts of that treatment.”
The news that both the 76-year-old monarch and Kate, 43, wife of his elder son and heir Prince William, were both undergoing treatment for the disease in early 2024 shocked Britain, but their response has been praised by medical professionals and those who help those with the condition.
While both have returned to official duties, Charles is still receiving treatment and Kate’s workload remains closely controlled despite her now being in remission.
Lee, the chief executive of Maggie’s which runs support centers based next to hospitals, said the two royals’ open discussions of their own personal issues in coping with the illness had had a profound impact.
Earlier this month, shortly after she pulled out of an engagement, Kate said she had put on a “brave face” during her cancer treatment, describing the experience as being like a “rollercoaster”.