Princess Kate finishes chemotherapy and is 'focused on staying cancer free'

H look we we don't see the RO family in this way they're very much kind of dressed down enjoying time in nor in the Woodland up there on the beaches um but I think what really comes across is this sense of her loving family and how they've really helped her to get through it I think some of the most striking parts of that video are her and William cuddling up to each other him giving her a kiss on the cheek we we simply don't see members of the Royal Family like that and I think it as you say it has it has humanized the roal family but I think also for them it's it's been P important to to open up in her message she again refers to others who are going through their own challenges when it comes to to cancer and talk about how from Darkness hopefully there will there will come light um but yeah it's it's an extraordinary video especially when you consider just how private the family are certainly around the beginning of the year you remember when there was all of that social media speculation about where is Kate where is the princess what's wrong with her that was a huge strain on the family I remember talking to people in the palace who were telling me that it was hugely upsetting for the family and and Prince William was frankly very angry about it he felt that his family were being scrutinized and that they were they were under attack so the fact that they've they've now decided that they want to to show themselves there in Norfolk which has always talked about as their kind of private Sanctuary um is an extraordinary thing in itself yeah and Rihanna look the the Privacy though of course which is right does continue mention we're not entirely clear as to exactly which stage of she puts her cancer Journey she's at right now no that's right and and people will talk about the the contrast that we've seen between the princess and and King Charles who in some ways has been a little more open in terms of the procedures that he's had regarding his own cancer diagnosis um but I think they've decided that there is a line and and while yes they will share this very personal video and while she will talk in in those very personal terms and look it it it's heart-wrenching that video isn't it and and when you hear her speaking in in such personal and and open terms but I think there is a line and and they've decided that they are not going to tell us what kind of M she had specifically um what the precancerous cells were related to they're simply not not going to go there but I think what it has shown is that and I think this is the same for the king as well she has taken great Solace from the fact that sharing part of her own cancer Journey has at least made made a difference when it comes to to public awareness and all the cancer Charities have have been nothing but positive about what the royal family have done in what has been a really difficult year for all of them and and just to point out the reason that the princess is sharing this information now is because there's a sense that look summer holidays are over everyone's getting back to work and I think in a way they were preempting the fact that inevitably we were all going to start asking well when are we going to see her after all last week we had a week of busy engagements for Queen Camila uh Prince William was also out last week so was the king so so I think inevitably those questions were going to start um but also I think it shows a degree of them wanting to be open um and share the fact that she is yes no longer having treatment but still as they keep reiterating her focus is now on her health on her full recovery remaining cancer-free and also I think what that video shows is look her children they continue to be her primary focus absolutely we even get to hear a little qu In The Biz an upside didn't we of the of one of the kids there at the camera asking if it's recording a really nice moment look um let's talk about the work that as you mentioned you know the the Palace of want to try and get ahead of when discussion will come to whether or not and when Kate's going to get back to work it's it's been stated that she's going to start working from home on and some of her projects on Early Childhood um for those who aren't you know aware of the royal calendar and what we would have expected in the normal year um the princess of Welles to be at where would she normally have been if everything was was well Rihanna so look they have kind of their their weekly engagements which tend to be the visits up and down the country so for example you'll have the likes of Prince William going to Wales last week you had Queen Camila she was in doing visits in bath so you have those which kind of we we're told about maybe maybe a week in advance but also there are those set piece events kind of the the regulars in the RO calendar which you would probably expect potentially the princess to attend now we were told that it is her intention to hopefully be there alongside her family for remembrance Sunday which for me would seem like a one that she would automatically want to go to because the importance of that moment not just for the royal family but also for the nation um but also of course every year now we've been used to the princess um being front and center of a special Christmas Carol service um and we understand that work is now going on behind the scenes in terms of that Carol service that always happen um at Westminster Abbey but I think what the palace are really Keen to try and prevent and it's going to be a difficult one is kind of ongoing speculation about when will we see her when are we not going to see her and ultimately they have been very clear as she said in her statement just before trooping the color she has good days and bad days um there will still be the likelihood that plans may have to change at the last minute and and I suspect expect as we go forward there may be weeks where potentially she feels well enough to accompany Prince William to an engagement but I think that has probably been the pressure on the family at times has been this insatiable demand um for information for people to know what's going on that certainly happened at the start of the year when there was all that social media speculation and um they're going to want to avoid that at all costs I think um while kind trying to share as much as possible still I think wanting to maintain their their privacy and and make sure as she keeps reiterating she has that time to focus on on her health yeah absolutely those last two public uh official public appearances as you mentioned trooping the color in June and she was at the wimon men's final presenting the trophy in July and and look R I'm glad you mentioned that sort of speculation those internet uh rumors because I guess that now that this video has been released by the Palace we'll all remember what happened with that photograph at the beginning of the year now it's been released by The Palace those internet types will be sort of passing it for all kinds of hidden meaning potentially they will and and I think that's what's been been difficult for them of course there was the um what should we call it the difficulties around the Mother's Day photo which the Princess of Wales held her hands up and and apologize for saying that look yeah she was she was involved in in manipulating that photograph that was a really dark and and difficult time for them um I think they took the criticisms on the chin and I think they realized that mistakes had been made um but I think the clear messages that are coming through from this video are the importance of family how the family have really rallied around I didn't mention earlier in the video you also see Kate's parents Carol and Michael Middleton spending time with the family we we don't often see that um family is really important to her the fact that she wants to yes get back to doing some of the work that she's going to be working from home but don't expect too much there are going to be times when she can't um but also I think really importantly for her it's that that hand of friendship that sense of caring about others who were who were going through the the difficulties of cancer and cancer treatment and I think the palace look they will be very aware that some will talk about how William and Kate they're in they're in a very privileged position um but that I think is why she's wanted to be so open and say look yes there's the physical demands of going through the cancer treatment but also I think you get this underlying message that actually it's been it's been the mental side that that she's she's found she's found quite difficult and I guess just finally as well and on that R it's that sort of sense of trying to normalize it all isn't it I mean she mentions in in um the the voiceover that we hear there talking about you know continuing a cancer Journey for all those who are going through it as well I guess that at this point now she will want to be seen as being supportive of understanding of people Millions around the country going through similar things millions of people and millions of families I think actually it's been it's been a two-way thing and and you've seen this with I think the king as well both the princess and the king have spoken about how how much strength they've they've got from other people with with cancer reaching out to them and and saying look it's it's difficult look after yourselves but they both realize that they have this extraordinary platform um when it comes to reaching out to the public um getting messages out there and and I think she will undoubtedly want to to continue to to help as much as she can when it comes to to raising awareness um of cancer the treatments that are ongoing um the support that people can get um but yeah this is quite an extraordinary video once again that she has decided to release um as she has confirmed that her preventative chemotherapy um has come to an end but she still wants to focus on her health okay uh R Mills that thank you for that well let's just remind you of that breaking news the Princess of Wales has revealed she has completed the course of chemotherapy and says her focus is now on staying cancer-free she made the comment in a new video Let's show it to you again you lead the way as a summer comes to an end I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment the last 9 months have been incredibly tough for us as a family life as you know it can change in an instant and we've had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and Road unknown the cancer journey is complex scary and unpredictable for everyone especially those closest to [Music] you with humility it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you've never considered before and with that A New Perspective on everything is just filming hello [Music] hello this time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life which so many of us often take for granted of Simply loving and being [Music] loved doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus although I finished chemotherapy my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can despite all that's gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of Hope and appreciation of [Music] Life William and I are so grateful for the support we've received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time everyone's kindness empathy and compassion has been truly [Music] humbling how you get out your to all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you side by side hand in hand out of Darkness can come light so let that light shine bright [Music] well the palace have also posted the message from Katherine Princess of Wales as well as that video onto social media um with uh the script of what we hear Katherine saying as she narrates that uh film we've just seen let's bring in our Royal commentator Royal commentator Jenny bond for more on this Jenny great to have you with us as always I mean what do you make of the video you've seen wow that's what I thought wow that's amazing um I've been reporting on this family for a very very long time and I've always tried not to gush but I found it quite hard not to gush about that video it was so professional um all soft focused and very lovely but it was so intimate we saw a family here who as Katherine herself has said has been through the most difficult nine months uh interesting nine months actually because it's eight months since we knew she was in hospital so clearly she wasn't well for you know a few weeks before that um but it it is the most delightful family portrait I think and so encouraging to see her looking really really well seeing the family are absolutely together that she and William appeared totally in love um and how she has changed her perspective on life now and and we've we've seen and they've received some criticism William and Katherine we've seen that family through all of this has been Paramount never mind that he's been criticized for you know not carrying out all his Royal duties um never mind all the speculation about you know is she hiding away or something for them family is what it's about and this video shows it very clearly and I have always applauded that and continue to applaud that the fact that you know this is a family in trouble and if they need time out and space which he asked for they should be given it and they have been given it and Jenny just give us then your sense of perspective having covered the Royals for a period of time um as to sort of how unique this kind of insight into their family life is I mean people you know who are who are kind of new to all of this stuff and and grew up in the social media age may think that seeing these kind of well produced videos is normal when you think about celebrities but for the raw family of course it is not unprecedented it makes me um think back to a time when I I wasn't reporting all that long ago but 1969 there was a family a family um portrayal if you like it was called the royal family um and it was a documentary about the inside life of the royal family shot at balal and some of the Palaces and it was so starchy and so formal it was almost embarrassing it really was uh they simply weren't used to being in front of the cameras now here we see um professional as it would almost seem in front of the camera but very very natural I tell you what I've really like about it I really like that we see young George uh being so relaxed so often we've seen him you know dressed up in a a suit or whatever uh and on public parade but here he's running through the corn fields he's being cuddled by his mom what a lot of cuddling going on in this film you don't see royal cuddles and kisses uh very often uh they are very private about public displays of affection um but the true love of this family just comes through look I'm gushing I know I am but I just think you got there pretty quickly Jen I mean don't worry it's fine I can see that you know this this is a video that that has effec of you but let's just push on that idea that this is a professional take of it I mean that use of word right we would have thought or would have hoped that everything that the palace puts out is professional and doesn't have these kind of missets but as we've seen in recent time there have been missteps in some of the the public messaging well I have yes I mean Katherine herself is perhaps you're referring to put out her Mother's Day card which she admitted she had been experimenting with editing and that caused the Great fural um uh provoked her into I I would say actually bullied her um into making that first broadcast in which she looked so fragile and frail back in March when she said she had cancer and that's the first we heard of it there' been the prolonged absence from um the announcement in January that she was in hospital um all sorts of stuff going on online about where was she and so she eventually came out and told us um but uh they're not used in in to making these professional videos until very recently really where they brought out a proper PE brought in um a very expert PR team and Kenington Palace has been making rather rather glossy videos for a while but this by far is the glosses and look at those kids uh looking so happy and relaxed and you know this has been incredibly difficult time for those children um but the summer I think has um brought them back to some kind of normal family life uh they rested very quietly up there at Amma Hall I haven't been seen in public very much although they did go to Bear Grill's wild Festival I think it's called where they did um Nerf gunning um that's a lot of fun that sort of thing and and and yeah the kids is probably the best part as I said to Ranna you you get to hear their voices asking if I think George asks whether it's recording then a a little bit of noises off from the others as well which is a really nice sort of natural family moment um talk to us a little bit if you can Jenny about how this sort of revealing of the family and the closeness has set perhaps a precedent now going forward that the public are going to expect this kind of sort of I don't know intimate portrayal of the family they're going to want more of this sort of thing because you know you know you don't say anything then that is the line you've drawn but once you start revealing things then you've you've you've taken it Forward haven't you and and that has opened up the the raw family to to A Whole New World of sort of scrutiny I guess no you're absolutely right and that was the criticism of the film I was referring to back in 1969 it was felt that although it showed us behind the the palace walls um it had let it too much is it on the on the magic of of mystery of the monarchy um it was felt that it was wrong and the queen didn't want it to be shown afterwards in fact people were forbidden to show it at all uh for very very very many years um now this this um has completely changed the way that the monarchy do things at least the way Katherine does things I think this is Katherine's doing it is her putting down her marker this is how she wants to to communicate with people um she did that first with her broadcast back in March which took us all by surprise um and and now with this I think she's shown that she wants to be straight with people she wants to be direct she wants the message to be quite simple and yes um when she chooses she is allowed um she is allowing uh people into the uh very intimate side of her family life um and I think that's the way she will continue to do things but you're right that once you start opening up a little bit more that's what we all expect and then then there'll be questions and conspiracy theories every time we don't get a nice glossy video is the flip side of it look Jenny it's interesting that you mentioned that you think Katherine might be the driving force behind that I guess we will see in the weeks and months and years ahead now it's mentioned in the statements uh and in sort of the reporting around this that um she's going to take it sort of step by step day by day are you expecting that we will see her at this side of the New Year in public engagements I know she said she wants to but of course her health has to come first yes it's obvious that she is still feeling fragile that um she isn't probably as we understand it using the term quite yet cancer free she wants to focus on being cancer free um and she said that you know the long path still lies ahead to full recovery um I I I've always thought well for the past few days really there there's been a lot of talk about the fact that they hope that she'll be able to make the Senate half in November a very important date andian was talking about that um and also uh the Westminster Abby uh Carol concert that she hosts that would be fabulous if she could do that but if she can't then I hope that she'll be able to take part in the family gathering up at Sandringham at Christmas um there'd be a certain symmetry if you like to that because uh it was at Last Christmas when we saw her and we thought all was well and the family walked from Sandringham house um up to the church and back and uh greeted the crowds and everything seemed to be fine um and then there was this uh shock announcement in January that she was in hospital uh and a prolonged absence from the public stage followed and that's when all the um this the nonsense online started about where was she um but um it it seems that um she has now finished that course of chemotherapy and hopefully we'll see her at Christmas again okay Jen Bond thank you very much indeed it is 5:00 this is the newsour I'm Mark Austin and there is one main story this evening the Princess of Wales has proved provided an update on her health saying she has completed her chemotherapy treatment she describes the cancer Journey as complex and scary and said it had brought her face to face with her vulnerabilities and she also says she will begin a few public duties in the coming months adding doing what she can to stay cancer free is now her focus it all comes in a professionally but highly personal at times intimate film which features Kate with William and their children let's have a look at the film which has been produced by Kensington Palace you lead the way as a summer comes to an end I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment the last 9 months have been incredibly tough for us as a family life as you know it can change in an instant and we've had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and Road unknown the cancer journey is complex scary and unpredictable for everyone especially those closest to [Music] you with humility it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you've never considered before and with that A New Perspective on everything it's just filming hello [Music] hello this time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life which so many of us often take for granted of Simply loving and being [Music] loved doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus although I have finished chemotherapy my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can despite all that's gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life [Music] William and I are so grateful for the support we've received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time everyone's kindness empathy and compassion has been truly [Music] humbling you get that on your head to all those who are continuing their own cancer Journey I remain with you side by side hand in hand out of Darkness can come light so let that light shine bright [Music] and Sky Royal commentator alist Bruce joins me now thanks for being with us uh alist an extraordinary film which we'll talk about in just a moment but first of all uh what it contained and it it is good news yeah defitely good news and it's been a long year for the princess and also for the Prince of Wales because I think you could read it always in his face that clearly he had a lot on his mind and it wasn't just the duties he was doing or the investitures he was taking part in on behalf of the king but he obviously had his mind filled as I think anybody would understand with the trials of his wife dealing with this chemotherapy and you know as the princess explains in that video it's a very long process and it's obviously been taking its toll and they as a family wanted to proceed as the doctors instructed with that being their main concentration and now we get better news that the chemotherapy stages are concluding and that whilst there's still more to do on this journey and anybody who knows it in their family will know how these things can take their time time we are seeing a glimmer of good light in the end of a very dark time for them and that's good news absolutely and there is real honesty in there she talks about the cancer Journey being complex and scary for everyone especially those closest to you and of course that will resonate with cancer sufferers yes you know also from all the work that cancer Charities do what a thunderous bit of new music can be that cancer exists in your life and that it totally changes everything and the princess reflected that and against pictures of a very happy family which is clearly where she got her greatest sense of support uh she is explaining that Journey very fundamentally and I imagine anybody who knows quite what a challenge it can all be hearing her say it is in its own way very helpful but they do thank everybody for the support they've got and been given and I think at the same time you know uh they have had that sense that whereas most people don't have to worry about that that everyone is wanting to know more everyone's wanting to try and find out precisely how her progress has been going and this is their way of explaining what's been going on and that it is good news and that the family look very happy it was filmed in August and you know Ames like to get together in August if they can and clearly they were able to and it mattered a lot to them yeah and the manner as you say the message was delivered and we're seeing it on screen now I mean it's an extraordinarily personal and intimate film can you recall anything quite like it before no the only time I've seen images that somehow reflect this is in those uh released films of when members of The King's family were young which were released much later on after the event to Mark things like the late Queen's jubilees but you know this has been clearly filmed very recently it is being shared immediately and I think that there is a recognition that people have wanted to follow a journey they have had no insight into and now that there is better news The Prince and Princess of Wales have taken a view that there will be a glimpse into their reassurance and family Joy uh in order to emphasize the message of gratitude to the public and also of where the princess actually is and anyone who knows about cancer will know that cancer has the really annoying Knack of just always remaining a bit of a challenge and can go on for longer than necessarily people would like it to and we know that the chemotherapy which they've announced is now over but you know she says she needs to carry on fighting it and remaining as she says cancer free right and a real Glimpse also into her real feelings when she talks about um Coming face to face with one's own vulnerabilities yes and again you know people who face life-threatening challenges or certainly life altering challenges know that moment of doubt and aloneness and you know how important family is and the concept that Fam Family is where you get your strength and often you can't work in the way that you would like she has implied that she will do a certain number of Duties she started working from home and engaging again with the Charities and work that she has really enjoyed doing and had to put on hold but I think that we will now see gradually uh announcements of her being involved in more things and they're going to take it at their speed and I think the prince of Welles has protected her throughout to make sure that she can take it at her speed in order to be back supporting the king and his work as head of state yeah just finally aliser what a little bit more on that what do you think we should expect from her uh going forward um the focus clearly is going to be the children and as she puts it staying cancer free but in terms of events you think it'll be a gradual process well I I genuinely don't know Mark but I think what we can recall is that at the end of last year we saw all the royal family particularly led by the Princess of Wales at Westminster ABY uh for that moment at Christmas and perhaps whatever she does might build up towards something like that but I don't know it will be announced in due course and I think that anyone who's gone through this journey of cancer in their own family will know that there is something remarkably rewarding to know that there is a glimpse of good news for the Princess of Wales at this time aliser appreciate your time thank you very much indeed and joined Now by The Royal commentator Jenny Bond and Jenny I heard you talking earlier about how you thought this was um so unusual and um you were quite taken by the film it it is quite a remarkable um production from Kensington Palace isn't it it certainly is and uh I think to see any family come through a crisis like this is going to be pretty moving but to see Katherine come through it um with all the pressure that's been on her and I used earlier the word bullying actually to come out and say how things are and be straight with the public I think it is remarkable it's certainly the most um intimate and personal Royal film I have any ever seen and uh I would defy anyone now to say that Katherine um is cold or not a hugger which she has standed stood accused of in the past uh by some people um I mean she is hugging and kissing and laughing and um showing affection for her husband and for her family in this I mean it's an incredibly Charming uh portrait of family life yeah I mean it I guess in a sense it's made to look like a family video and it is a family video but incredibly uh well produced yeah highly professional yes it's got even some special effects where I don't even what you call it where the picture seems to be like an old film isn't it um it's very like C cinematography really um but I mean I don't think there's any reason for criticize me from that it's a professional piece of work and it should be um I think um it just shows that family is um at the core of of their beliefs now and I think you were talking about what they're going to do in the future I know Katherine will want to go out and about she's got campaigns that mean so much to her the early years development Etc but I am wondering if um in the next couple of years anyway we will see prolong Royal tours such as you would expect from The Prince and Princess of Wales with an elderly and father who has his own cancer diagnosis um and Camila now 77 um they don't want to take on Long arduous Royal tours I know you and I have been on a few Ares Royal tours haven't we and they are hard work and I I can't see really that Katherine will want to do that in the near future anyway and I think her Focus quite rightly will remain on bringing up her her little family with a sense of security while they're with her and they're not aware at boarding school or anything so that I think will be her priority Royal work yes uh but not perhaps the most important thing in her life for the foreseeable future right it does seem as though it's a fairly cautious return to duties that she is talking about yes we don't know what kind of cancer she has been suffering from but clearly it is and has been something pretty serious um and as alist was saying no one knows on this cancer Journey quite when you can be declared free of it um and she's not really using that term except she what she said she wants to keep her focus on being or becoming F cancer free what we know is her chemotherapy has ended that the path ahead in her own words is still long um but she is looking very well isn't she what a contrast to when we saw her make her first broadcast announcing her cancer uh back in March when she looked so terribly frail and pale and serious and now she looks joyful and well yes and it was in March as you say that she shared this video statement uh saying that she had undergone uh excuse me abdominal surgery and tests had showed that cancer had been present and saying that she underwent uh major abdominal surgery and I think she was talking there about her cancer in a way that did go down very well and in the statement today Jenny in her what she says on this film today she says at the end to all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you side by side hand in hand out of Darkness can come light so let that light shine bright these are words for um these this is a message to cancer sufferers that that that she is with them it is I mean she can use her platform for many campaigns and many issues and I think that going forward now she will use her platform um to reach out to other cancer sufferers um and that's important an important message I mean the the battle against cancer obviously is physical but it is mental as well um as far as I understand um and I think that know that someone is figuratively anyway holding their hand will be a great comfort to people going through that same journey and just finally how do you think this uh film a remarkable film will go down around the country I think there' be an enormous sympathy for her um how could you not have sympathy for her I love the message where she said really what matters what matters more than anything else is being is love loving and being loved and I thought it was significant that we saw there her parents included in the film now that's very unusual and you could see they were absolutely relaxed at home playing a game everyone laughing and they I think are very much part of her recovery and very much part of this uh this bubble of love that they're they're all in at the moment yeah she says uh this time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life which chat so many of us often take for granted of Simply loving and being loved uh Jenny thank you very much indeed pleasure and just a reminder of our breaking news uh on the newsour this evening the Princess of Wales has released her most personal Family Video to date showing her spending private time with Prince William and her children to confirm uh that she's completed her cancer treatment it is an incredibly intimate video showing the princess with Prince William and their three children George Charlotte and uh Lou spending time together in Norfolk last month doing what I can to stay cancer free uh she said was now her Focus let's take a look at the film back you lead the way as a summer comes to an end I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment the last 9 months have been incredibly tough for us as a family life as you know it can change in an instant and we've had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and Road [Music] unknown the cancer journey is complex scary and unpredictable for everyone especially those closest to [Music] you with humility it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you've never considered before and with that A New Perspective on everything is just filming hello [Music] hello this time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life which so many of us often take for granted simply loving and being [Music] loved doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus although I have finished chemotherapy my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can despite all that's gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of [Music] Life William and I are so grateful for the support we've received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time everyone's kindness empathy and compassion has been truly [Music] humbling how you get that on your head to all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you side by side hand in hand out of Darkness can come light so let that light shine bright [Music] and that film released by Kensington Palace in the last hour or so Sarah Jane me is at buck Palace this evening and Sarah Jane it is quite a film yeah it's an extraordinary film isn't it Mark we've been commenting on the fact that we've never seen the senior Royals like this it's a very open personal uh video the princess of whales showing extreme vulnerability and Shining a light on her future her focus is now on staying cancer free and she identifies with so many people who are going through that Journey themselves or family members and friends are it is as you said an extraordinary video we've learned so much more about it and reaction coming in all the time it's only been released within the last half hour or so let's bring in journalist and Ro correspondent Katie nickel um Katie good to see you on Sky News um this is some good news uh which we all need uh it's very welcome news from the Princess of Wales it marks six months uh we since we learned of her cancer diagnoses first of all your reaction to to the news itself before we get into the video well I think it's the news that we were we were all hoping for um she's completed her course of preventative chemotherapy as anyone that's been through this illness and goes through chemotherapy knows it's it's not just over when you take the last tablet or have the last drip it is an ongoing journey of recovery and she talks about that she talks about an ongoing journey of healing um and for me what stood out so much is she she's clearly looking forward to getting back to work we learned today that she's actually already working from home but her focus is going to be on herself on her health on her recovery and staying caner free that is her focus and I think when you watch that video family just seems to be absolutely everything to her family and being in nature it was shot in the August in one of their favorite places in the world in norol where they've enjoyed their summer holidays so you get this wonderful insight into you know them climbing logs playing on beaches enjoying picnics playing family card games um and I think you know Catherine's hinted at this before that part of her recovery and her journey has has been having these joyful moments as simple as they may be it may just be bathing in some sunlight while standing against a tree um and she looks I think remarkably well Katie um you like many people who are royal journalists um got the notification that a statement would be released by the Princess of Wales we expect a statement normally don't we it's normally half a page a few lines we perhaps didn't expect this the Princess of Wales being so open using words like scary talking about life as you know it changing in an instant and having to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and Road unknown this shows such vulnerability and it's such an intimate insight into what they've been going through I don't think anybody quite expected this no I think when you consider how the princess chose to break the news of her cancer diagnosis it was in that remarkable emotive and very powerful video message as you say this could have just been released as we've become used to over the many years that both of us have been royal reporters and covered this beat with a palace press statement but I think the princess of Worlds has wanted to put herself into and bring her empathy and her compassion and all of those things that make her such a special and unique Royal this is this is her way of sharing with us she's wanted this to be a private Journey we don't know what type of cancer she had we don't know what stage it was diagnosed at we're probably never going to find out but she is letting us in enough to give her some of her story and I think she's really found that balance incredibly well um she does show an emotional side she does show a vulnerability I think it would almost be impossible to go through the Journey that she's gone through without experiencing that I think the fact that she's sharing it is wonderful I also think that it's a great leveler let's not forget we've had two members of the royal family diagnosed with cancer this year um that that that is also the situation for many other families out there so for the royal family it's a great leveler this has been an opportunity for Catherine Princess of Wales and a future Queen to connect with people and she's done it beautifully ktie much will be made of the fact that we see Prince William kiss the Princess of Wales on the cheek and again much is being made of that because it's an insight into ordinary family life into the love you know that a family shares and I think the end of Katherine's voice over her statement on that video um talks about everyone's kindness and EMP empathy and compassion which has been truly humbling for her to see and hear she says to all those who are continuing their own cancer Journey remain with you side by side hand in hand out of Darkness can come light so let that light shine bright by giving us such an intimate insight into their family of five well six seven including the grandparents we see uh the Princess of Wales mother and father in that video as well it's almost identifying with the public because as you said cancer is a great leveler and everybody goes through the same thing and I think by being so open and showing so much love in this video it really connects with people on a level that perhaps we haven't seen before I think you're absolutely right don't forget that other little member of the royal family the their spaniel who Al also makes an appearance in in the video but absolutely I think it was lovely that her parents were included in that video Carol and Michael Middleton always so quiet and behind the scenes but so much an important part of the whales and their family life so much more Hands-On than I think most people realize and an absolutely vital and intrinsic part of of Kate's healing and Recovery Journey but I think the fact that it is so family focused and you know for for a couple who've made um they've gone to Great Lengths haven't they to protect their three children from the media Spotlight um it it's been done in a controlled way but they really are allowing us in so I think that word you used earlier that vulnerability she is sharing that with us you know she she spoken her last message about not being out the woods yet she's not out the woods yet there will be more scans there are going to be years to get through um and and so it is an ongoing Journey but she makes that Journey with her husband by her side her three children her parents she's obviously got a wonderful support network and as they said the what they've gleaned and what they've taken from the public she has received thousands and thousands of letters from well wishes around the world not just from here in the UK who are behind her who are sharing their own stories and I know from the sources that the palace that they've taken both William and Katherine great strength and comfort from those personal testimonies and stories Katie nickel good to get your reaction uh this evening thank you thank you right let's speak now to the Royal correspondent for the telegraph India M tager good evening thanks very much for being with us and I just wonder first of all what you what do you make of this I mean what brilliant news news for her what brilliant news for her family and what brilliant news for the public I think the video is incredibly emotive it's incredibly powerful for her to be so vulnerable and for us to see a side of the family that we've never seen before them in their private downtime in Norfolk in the summer I mean it's an incredibly special video and I think sort of presents the gravity of the news which is this this positive and this lightness that she's trying to bring uh through the Troublesome times that she's had you know she she calls it a very complex and scary Journey as I'm sure many can relate to so for her to come out in this way with this video I think is just extremely powerful and emotional I think William and Kate and Kensington Palace have decided to do this this way yes and I think it's it it really makes an impact doesn't it because we see her with her family we know that during this time she's drawn so much strength from nature from her family it's been her sanctuary in these Troublesome times so I think that for her to Showcase these private moments her climbing on Logs with her family cuddling with William then being so tactile I think that's really what stood out to me too is really to see how strong their bond is and how much of a support he's clearly been to her during this time so for Kensington Palace to to Showcase it in that way it's it's just so moving it really is yeah and it clearly designed to work on social media um how do you think it will go down around the country oh my goodness I mean how else can anyone respond to this news except with immense happiness uh our princess is is you know finished her her chemotherapy and is on the way back to work which is incredible and I think that everyone will be extremely extremely pleased to hear this news and of course it will work very well on social media will W who made the video is is fantastic at it and has produced videos for the couple before um and I think it's it's a very positive uh very positive moment for the nation and for the family of course and there is this honesty about it in the sense that she talks about her coming face to face with her vulnerabilities absolutely yes she said it brought a whole new perspective of life to her so her approach to life and family and the smaller moment she said the things that we don't so much appreciate the time with family and the the to be loved and that's that's clearly what comes through in this video loving and to be loved is what she said is is just so important to appreciate those moments in life and I think the expectation on her to come back to work you know in a very strong way is very low I think uh you know she needs to take the time to be cancer free as she said um and I think the public will completely understand that and of course we're expecting to see her soon in November this uh Senate half and uh on Remembrance Sunday and maybe even her beloved Christmas Carol concert in December and we know she'll undertake some of her own earli engagement slowly slowly as well as she works from home right and we have got to remember there are so many people dealing with cancer in this country and around the world of course and she does say at the end that to all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you side by side hand in hand so it does have this message um that that she is with other cancer suffer it's amazing isn't it it's quite a it's like a touch of the late Queen to be honest because to be in such a difficult personal moment for her and to always remember to reach out to the rest of the world and to reach out to people who are also suffering in that moment it's it's very it's very touching it's very emotional it's very personal it's very intimate uh and it really is reminds me of of something the lake Queen would do just to be this uh support this represent this continuity of support that the royal family does so well okay India I appreciate your time thank you very much indeed and if you're just joining us a reminder of our breaking news on the newsour this evening the Princess of Wales has released her most personal Family Video to date showing her spending private time with Prince William and her children to confirm uh that she's completed her cancer treatment it is an intimate video showing the princess with Prince William and their three children George Charlotte and Louis spending time together in Norfolk last month doing what I can to to stay cancer free is now my focus she says uh let's just have a look at the film you lead the way as the summer comes to an end I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment the last 9 months have been incredibly tough for us as a family life as you know it can change in an instant and we've had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and Road unknown [Music] the cancer journey is complex scary and unpredictable for everyone especially those closest to [Music] you with humility it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you've never considered before and with that A New Perspective on everything is just filming hello hello [Music] this time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life which so many of us often take for granted of Simply loving and being [Music] loved doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus although I finished ch therapy my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can despite all that's gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life [Music] William and I are so grateful for the support we've received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time everyone's kindness empathy and compassion has been truly [Music] humbling you get your to all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you side by side hand in hand out of Darkness can come light so let that light shine bright [Music] what's guys Ash heag is here with me at Buckingham Palace to react to this breaking news this evening this breaking good news Ashner and when we got word that the Princess of Wales was going to release a statement at around tea time we perhaps expected some words a sheet of paper an email we got this video which has taken Everyone by surprise such as the nature of it the feel of it we never normally get such um videos like this as you say they this one in particular is incredibly intimate it's so open it's candid it's essentially a family video that we are guessing here that's clearly heavily produced but is very much in the princess of wales's own language it's in her words and in her voice over she's been quite careful in what she's saying she's talking about the fact that she is still going through this recovery Journey she's going to be learning how to continue to live with this process that she has been through and it's been released now I mean almost 6 months as you say since we first got that initial video and clearly there is a change of tact here this is her deciding I want my family to be front and center of this I want my language to be very careful but I want to be as open and transparent with the public as much as I can be we're not getting um intimate details but we're getting an Insight you know these are special family memories they would have made we understand it was filmed in Norfolk last month see them on the sand Junes we see them in nature and we know that this is a family that loves being outdoors and particularly loves spending time together and we see in that um the middletons uh themselves Carol and Michael Middleton Kate's parents part of that uh video too and we see them in loving Embraces uh Kate with the children princess GE princess Charlotte and Lou as well we even hear one of the children speaking and and talking to the camera at one stage this is such an unusual moment um and clearly it's done in the way that Catherine intended it to be watching it myself I mean everyone will take something different from a video it's subjective but I felt she was really trying to connect with people who are going through the same thing yes she's a senior Royal but behind closed doors is going through all the emotions all the physical changes all the nightmare scenarios that you and I may go through anyone watching this this evening she uses words like scary she says life as you know it can change in an instant and we have to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and Road unknown I mean that is like you said incredibly candid and it does feel like a way of connecting her with the people because there has been this perhaps you can call call it unjustified criticism of her not giving more regular updates but this is her saying I'm I'm with you all I've been going through the same thing all the while um life of the royal family has been going on kind of publicly as normal but as you say behind the scenes she's been continuing to go through this journey alongside caring for her children and also doing the other things that come with being a royal you're right she talks about stormy waters over the last nine months a journey that she had described as complex scary scary being a key word and a very vulnerable word I think to to use and unpredictable forcing her to come face to face with vulnerabilities and we know that she finished her chemotherapy um very recently and we know that well in looking ahead she talks about the fact that she would like to start to re-engage with public life perhaps we might see her at some public engagements between now and the end of the year but it's not going to be an immediate return to work I mean looking at ahead you know Prince William is going ahead to South Africa she's not going to be doing those big foreign trips the prince you know he's the king rather and the queen they due to head off to New Zealand and Australia uh later in October so there is going to be a slow return to public life but this is such a big moment and such a a vulnerable moment that she is sharing with the public yeah and she ends the video by saying to all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you side by side and hand in hand Ashna for the moment thank you I'm going to bring in now Roger Kirby president of the Royal Society of medicine uh he joins me now to react to this breaking good news uh Mr Kirby thank you so much for joining us on Sky News this evening uh first of all your initial thoughts on what's been announced well it's brilliant news that she's now completed the course of chemotherapy and uh of course now we have to wait for further followup but uh it's a major step forward to have completed the course of of radiotherapy and she looks absolutely brilliant in that in that video doesn't she she looks so healthy happy with the family really it's um a glorious video and so personal as you say can you tell us what this moment is like you yourself call it a major Milestone when a cancer patient finishes that final of of chemotherapy well it's you know I've looked after so many patients in my career with with cancer uh we don't know what type of cancer that she's had of course but we do know that she's had a diagnosis about nine months ago and now completed the course of chemotherapy so in the cancer Journey that um she describes using those words of course when you get the diagnosis uh the sort of bottom falls out of your world and you become uh uh a lot of my patients say their mind goes completely blank when they hear those words you know you've got cancer and they think immediately they're going to die and everything's over but results from both surgery and from chemotherapy and now immunotherapy as well often deployed are getting better and better so she has had the diagnosis she's faced up to that she's gone through the chemotherapy and that is quite a difficult Journey you know you can get a lot of side effects from chemotherapy you can get vomiting you can feel ill you can lose weight etc etc and also complications can occur but she seems to have sailed through we haven't heard of any real difficulties she looks great as I say on the video and um now she's completed the course she will need careful followup often um patients need thre monthly six monthly 9 monthly uh checkups they'll be doing scans to be absolutely certain that all every single cancer cell has been mopped up by the chemotherapy that's the point of chemotherapy really is to zap any uh straggler C cancer cells that are hiding in the lymph noes or in the lungs or elsewhere so with all luck every single cancer cell will have been killed by the chemotherapy and she can look forward to a long healthy and happy life with that lovely family of hers yes as she as she commented she looks happy she looks healthy above all she looks relieved she says herself that it's a relief for her chemo to have come to an end she does talk about her path to healing and you touched on that process there and she said that that process of full recovery is a long one and she's talked about the fact that she's been working from home she may engage in some Royal duties but not too many the path can be different for so many people but it's a reminder that just because you finished chemotherapy just because you talk about being cancer free You Are by no means done with cancer yet absolutely right I think one becomes you know aware of one's mortality when you have cancer um and you hope for a cure but you're never quite certain so the The Sword of Damocles if you like is dangling over you just in case there could be a recurrence I mean I I think she's got an absolutely great chance of being cancer free for the rest of her life she would have had the absolute best um Cancer Treatment available um luckily for us that live in the UK in especially in London there are some fantastic treatments available and the side effects from those treatments are less than they used to be it used to be a a really terrible uh traumatic journey through cancer chemotherapy but it's getting better and better and she seems to have sailed through um but when you get a cancer diagnosis as say it does change your mindset and I think um she mentions in in the video that it makes you more appreciative of life because you know suddenly that you're aware that that that you're not going to live forever nobody lives forever but we hope that she's going to have an absolutely long and happy life and we'll survive this so cancer survivors you know they have a slightly different attitude to life than others often they're more appreciative of life and um she's got a lot to be appreciative of of course with uh all her uh wonderful surroundings and and that lovely family that she's got so you know I think it's absolutely fantastic that she's completed this course so it's the next part of the journey is the followup but that gets easier and easier and hopefully we'll soon back uh see her back uh working again and and and joining in with the public and doing all the brilliant work that the world family do well it is some good news for the Princess of Wales and her family and as you talked about there a real sense of Hope from that video for others who are going through similar Journeys Roger Kirby president of the Royal Society of medicine thank you for your time this evening thank you and joining me now is the pr and branding expert Mark bosski and thank you for being with us and Mark and first of all the main issue here is that it is good news and that she is doing well I'm just interested in talking to you about the way that they have conveyed this message what do you make of it I think it's brilliant I think it's a brilliant move and it shows I mean I was surprised to be frank Mark it's not out of the real um old sort of Playbook of the royal family never explain never complain um they've learned from perhaps one some would suggest the mistakes uh of communicating the illness at the beginning uh the modern audience actually crave authenticity they they crave content um and this uh visual you know sort of message complete with all its filters it's really got a feel of a old Super Eight sort of family film um allows them to take control of the narrative um they are they're not doing interviews um they're producing a film that will go viral and it conveys all the messages so in an age where you have to take control of the narrative where you you can't allow a vacuum to be filled particularly on social media uh and this is a Triumph and a royal first and I think they should be applauded in the way that they've communicated and got through a very difficult time you know they're not they're not they're not raising too much hope they're still on a journey so they're they're not hyping this at all in terms of recovery um but they've got all their messages across and I think there's a huge outpouring of support for it is this the royal family just moving with the times clearly with social media in mind as you say filming it themselves it has the feel of this personal Family Video but is obviously very slickly done and as you say you know in the past there have been interviews and interviews have been done clearly this is the way they want to go yeah I mean it it is absolutely 21st century social media friendly um communication and look I you I was commenting really about the vacuum was created when we first learned um and and the speculations let's not let's not forget you know the internet was fueled with horrendous rumors and conspiracy theories um and I think they've taken that they've turned to obviously clearly a brilliant filmmaker U this is worthy of a ba I might say and um you know it it it shows a very deeply personal portrait which people require for all family and I think it's sort of allayed the ghost of the queen who actually had a totally different um perspective and how the modern media should be manipulated um and I think this has got a real breath of honesty in it in which we demand now and uh I think that it it it does herald um a New Age um and look we all make mistakes if we learn from them we can be better and I think they've learned from their communication um should we say mistakes and they've grown into something which I think is a magnificent example of how to communicate in the 21st century yeah it's interesting there's not a lot of detail understandably perhaps in the the the the sort of cancer the treatment uh involved in detail but there is this honesty about how she feels about this coming you know she says it's scary she says it's unpredictable it's scary for those closest to you and that she comes face to face or has come like all cancer sufferers face to face with one one's own vulnerabilities this is this is quite unusual stuff from from the royals it is and I think that what we find and particularly with the growth of you know some of the fake news that we have to deal with um that the audience out there the the the audience that tune into the messages from institutions you know such as the RO family which have you know certain um how should we say barriers and the way they communicate we sometimes don't look at the facts we're not interested in the facts we look at something and we are emotionally drawn to the message and I think that's what they've done here they haven't had to say a lot but what they have S has been controlled and it will have impact right and there will be those cynics you know say the royal families a brand this is brand enhancement um and I guess you know that that there is an element of of you know portraying the Royals the modern Royals as modern Royals but also as a very close family that is in their that's in their interests there's there's a truth to this it's a family unit um it's say a lens into that family unit it seems very happy and they're coping with very difficult situation and I it does feel like a commercial it wouldn't be out of place with a fashion brand or or High Street retailer um it's got all those elements within it and they've they've taken hold of those things that can resonate with an audience who demand more in terms of information and and we always want to know more I'm sure there will still be the conspiracy theorists and and those who want to be negative about this but I think that um they are a brand um and it is a modern age now where the days of Legacy Media have diminished and we have social media now we have niches um it's very difficult to control an image with you know a a a a news program that would have millions and millions of viewers Once Upon a Time It's the Splinter net now H and this is very much how we have to address how to communicate those nishes right and just finally is this how you see the monarchy going forward because there's you know all sorts of um talk about how the monarchy will look going forward well I think I I'm not sure I can you know give that sort of understanding but I mean clearly for the Wales is this is how they choose to communicate I think it will probably be very difficult for the king um but Underneath It All there's there's slightly um influenced by the way that um Megan and Harry have gone about using the media and I think they've uh they've kicked their communication practice into touch now so there's a lot of influences that have forged them to make this sort of film and I think that this possibly is the way um that the wers want to carry forward in future in the way that they want to be as open as they can be absolutely and the important news of course is that the Princess of Wales has uh says says she's completed her chemotherapy uh treatment Mark very interesting thank you very much indeed well guys Ash Hern is here with me at Buckingham Palace we're here reacting to that good news that the Princess of Wales has announced that she has finished her course of chemotherapy and is now focused on staying cancer free and asht I think it's worth picking up on the fact that not only is this some welcome good news in the news agenda but it's also an insight into what the princesses have been going through what they have been going through as a family and that video so much of the action has been the fact that we've never seen senior roles like this so open so honest so intimate it is a very intimate video as we've been discussing we're seeing um uh Princess uh Kate In Loving Embraces giving cuddles to the children her husband kissing her on her cheek we are so I suppose we're we're not used to getting photographs of the Royals these days um let alone a video you know it's only kind of a special occasion where we'd get them say you know a birthday or an anniversary of some sort when they would always be these still image photographs so to have this sense of openness I think is really telling it's incredibly personal it's ceded as we've been saying and it's such a moment for her to connect with her audience and clearly the language that she has chosen to use is very very important to her because she wanted it to be in her own words as if she's speaking directly to people who are also affected by what she they've been going through what do we learn from the princess in her own words about what her road ahead looks like because it's not business as usual is it just because chemotherapy is finished and she's saying that she wants to focus on being cancer free that there's there's more to come in this cancer Journey for her she talks about uh living and trying to stay cancer-free and she references the fact that this road to recovery is going to be long it's giving us an insight and a sense of how unpredictable uh scenarios like this can be and have been for for this particular family you know we're likely to see her pop up at Key perhaps timely events um you know one does think ahead to remembrance Sunday for example we know that plans are a foot to try and get her there as we saw her at trooping of trooping the color and saw her at Wimbledon key timed very meticulously planned events will be important but more than anything it will be again what we have seen again and again in that video a focus on family and a focus on kind of grounding herself and surrounding herself in those that she finds comfort in and just a final word about how she signed off that video and it was the fact that she is side by side hand in hand with those who are going through similar and that will be a such an important message going forward in all of this we know that the royal family car deeply about connecting with members of the public it's why this this year has been incredibly Str ful in many ways for them they've wanted to get out and about they love being in front of the public this will have been a difficult few months for them in so many ways but to finally be able to reconnect in some way will mean everything to them and I'm sure lots mean everything to their fans too Ashna thank you Ashna her with me here at binghan Palace reacting uh to that breaking news uh this afternoon uh we'll have the latest on the Princess of Wales she announced around an hour or so ago that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment we'll bring you that video again in full at the top of the hour stay with us here let go [Music] [Applause] I say bring it on with America divided and tensions running High get ready for an election like no other join our teams as we follow the campaign Trail as America decides we will win win win get closer to the action this us election with full reaction and Analysis USAA Sky News the full story first [Music] hello it's 6:00 I'm Sarah jme live from buckingam Palace this evening this is the NewsHour the top stories as the summer comes to an end I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment the Princess of Wales says she has finished chemotherapy and plans to return to public engagements in the coming months in a professional and highly personal film published by Kensington Palace Katherine says her focus is now on staying cancer free this time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life which so many of us often take for granted and I'm Mark Austin also ahead on the newsour this evening feeling the heat the chancellor to face labor MPS challenging her decision to cut winter fuel payments hello I've just I've just found um and ask for fire brigades and police we've just realized that whatever's on fire looks like a motorbik also abandoned by the police the communities who say their complaints about antisocial Behavior fall on deaf ears and we'll have a rare insight into the Sudan War as a joint Sky News investigation uncovers horrific details of an ethnically motivated Massacre [Music] for first this evening the Princess of Wales has given us an update on her health saying that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment Katherine describes the cancer Journey as complex and scary and says it has brought her face to face with her vulnerabilities Katherine also says she will begin a few public duties in the coming months adding that she is doing what she can to stay cancer free it's all come in a professionally but highly personal film from Kensington Palace we can take a look at it now you lead the way as the summer comes to an end I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment the last 9 months have been incredibly tough for us as a family life as you know it can change in an instant and we've had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and Road unknown [Music] the cancer journey is complex scary and unpredictable for everyone especially those closest to [Music] you with humility it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you've never considered before and with that A New Perspective on everything is just filming hello hello [Music] this time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life which so many of us often take for granted of Simply loving and being [Music] loved doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus although I have finished chemotherapy my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can despite all that's gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life [Music] William and I are so grateful for the support we've received and have drawn great strength from all those for helping us at this time everyone's kindness empathy and compassion has been truly [Music] humbling your to all those who are continuing their own ccer journey I remain with you side by side hand in hand out of Darkness can come light so let that light shine bright [Music] well guys ashy her andag is alongside me this evening at buck and Palace to react to uh this news um ashlea let's first start by talking about the substance of the video rather than the style both of which let's face it are remarkable H but we learned a lot from the princess of whales there about where she is on her cancer Journey we learned in March didn't we when we she initially released that first video her on a bench surrounded by those daffodils around Easter time that uh she had undergone abdominal surgery in which they had found these precancerous cells and we learned from that that she was undergoing this preventative cancer treatment which we soon Learned was chemotherapy we've now leared that that uh course of that treatment has run its course and that she is now in what she calls the recovery phase and she is learning I suppose over the next few months how to live and continue to be cancer free she talked about her recovery now being in the next phase because of course this is something that she is going to have to live with continuously you know people that live with cancer and have lived lived through it um it never quite goes away because there is always something to do always something to keep on top of more importantly to keep surrounded by the love and support as much as you can and clearly she has the most um supportive of networks uh behind her which was what's so evident in that extremely personal video and Ash when we heard that Kensington Palace would be releasing a statement from the Princess of Wales uh we perhaps expected a few words maybe a short video message perhaps a picture we did not expect that that is the senior Royals like we've never seen them before really yeah I mean that's the future king and queen as you say in an incredibly personal um transparent way it's very different to stuff that we've seen from them before it's heavily produced it's cinematic it's you know filmed in soft light they're within nature slow motion cameras it is so vulnerable not only her words but I'm talking about the way that it's been produced and entirely vulnerable you're seeing them out of nature as I say and we know that somewhere they love to be it was filmed as we understand it last month in Norfolk a place that is incredibly special to them they're out in the sand Junes they're also out you know in Woodland they're playing cards around the dining table alongside uh K Middleton's parents Carol and Michael Middleton and you get this extreme sense of love and support and openness from this as you say something that we probably have never seen before um but clearly this was intended to do something different she wanted to connect with fans and with people in her own way and this is a major step forward um for her in her journey her health Journey but also in in kind of transparent when it comes to the way that people feel connected to the royal family it is incredibly different you're right to point it out it also bring a huge amount of relief to people watching too and a lot of Hope for those as uh Katherine remarks at the end of the video going through something similar she stands with them side by side hand in hand Ashner for the moment thank you well let's me now to the Daily mails Robert Hardman he is the author of Charles III the Inside Story Robert good of you to join us this evening first of all your reaction to this story well uh Sahan I mean like like ashla there and and probably all your viewers I mean it's a remarkable help both in its style and its substance I mean it's is clearly very good news that the princess is now through her treatment um and is uh very much looking forward you know both in in in terms of uh you know the Outlook but also in terms of getting back to work um and I just think you know at a time of year well we haven't really seen um that much of uh of the royal family I I think it's it's people will be heartened by these scenes I mean there's an echo actually I think there of of of those old home movies that we occasionally used to see um that the the late Queen used to like taking on her cine camera of sort of family holidays you know this is uh it's very natural um and and and the central message there's no sort of triumphalism there there's no complacency know talking about you know that that chapter is now over I mean as the princess makes very clear uh you know for anyone on a cancer Journey you you've still got to take each day as it comes but it's it's it's very positive in tone and uh yeah if we think back to you know back to Easter and and that that that video of the princess sitting on on a bench surrounded by daffodil breaking the news for the entire world that she was undergoing treatment for cancer I mean this this you know this there is a sense of coming full circle to today it's just like other City yeah for all its style there is a lot of substance there and do you feel that the Princess of Wales made a conscious effort to connect to those who will be going on a similar Journey enduring a similar Journey having come to the end of their Journey as she's been at pains to point out whenever she's updated you know no journey is the same and she's very careful to say I want to focus on staying cancer free because as any anyone who has experienced cancer whether firsthand or through friends and family will say the term cancer free is always one that's said with a an air of caution yeah I mean that that that comes through loud and clear you know this is this is unquestionably you know the direction of travel is very positive but um no one is taking anything for granted here and I think it comes through very clearly that um this this Affinity that the princess has with the millions of other people who've who've gone through this um and and she says you know I'm by your side I mean I think you know long after this year is over after this this sort of video rece Reeds from memory that she will always have this this connection um with people going through the same thing I mean you know it has changed her life as she says U but I I I do think that you know the general tone that um I'm I'm I'm taking every day as it comes you know it's still that sense um of of of of not um by any means drawing a line under this this episode um but but but still now looking forward rather than back can we just talk about the video's purpose longterm it does feel very candid it does feel very relaxed but it's heavily produced it's heavily styled is when you talk about the tone it's also setting the tone isn't it for the future they are the future of the monarchy in that respect what do you take away from that video when you watch it well I you know it's one of those rare moments where we see um the whole family um informally together we've we've seen it now and then we've seen it for example at uh the time of the lake Queen's Jubilee I mean it's a reminder this is at its heart a a a a loving young family who've who've all gone through this um and I think it's uh it is a reminder of the way that that you know cancer does bring in the whole family um but also there's there there's a sort of wholesome quality to it isn't there I mean you see them there out in the the fields and on the beaches in in Norfolk and and going through the going through the fields it's sort of harvest time I mean it's you know I I suppose you know we often I used to hear the phrase a Fab Four there's almost a sort of Famous Five quality to this it does feel you know like a a traditional family in summer doing all the things that families love to do together and you just think how much that must have meant to her given what she was going through earlier in the year I mean this this this must be a a time of of immense uh not relief but but certainly uh you know contentment um and I I think everyone not just in this country as well I mean they're very conscious of the fact that they are a global couple this is a a global Story I mean within minutes of of this announcement it's been beamed in newsrooms on on websites right around the world so this is not just for uh for for for for the home audience I mean this is this is very much going to be absorbed um yeah right around the globe yeah as you were talking I was just looking at how many people have viewed this video 1.4 million uh on the X platform um and obviously you know it's only been out an hour or so and there are other social media platforms available as you said this is a global story we really appreciate your time Robert yeah inside half an hour Robert Harman from the daily mail thank you so much thanks very much