The Prince and Princess of Wales have been in the spotlight a lot recently, thanks to a string of royal engagements that have taken them up and down the country. On Thursday, the couple stopped by Fabal Beerhall on the Bermondsey Beer Mile in east London to flex their pint-pouring skills and champion local, independent, and female-owned businesses.
However, the visit turned out to be a personal one for Kate, who opened up about her recent health struggles. During the tour, the future queen was offered a taste of the brewery's beer and cider. However, she declined the beverages before taking the time to explain her decision to the company's owner, Hannah Rhodes.
Kate shared: "Since my diagnosis, I haven't had much alcohol." Instead, the 44-year-old beelined for a soft drink, adding that her alcohol intake is "something [she has] to be a lot more conscious of now."
Following the royal visit, Rhodes relayed the touching moment to the press. She revealed that Kate had "said something along the lines of 'since my diagnosis it has been best to avoid alcohol.'"
The Princess of Wales first announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, after undergoing major abdominal surgery two months prior. Sharing the news in an emotional video posted to the royal couple's social media, Kate explained that her condition was originally thought to be non-cancerous, "but tests after the procedure found cancer had been present."
She said at the time: "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I'm now in the early stages of that treatment."
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In September 2024, Kate announced that she had completed her course of preventative chemotherapy. Then, in January 2025, she shared the news that she was cancer-free.
NHS cancer services commonly advise reducing alcohol intake during treatment to support recovery and reduce treatment side-effects. Complete abstinence may not be necessary and will depend on the type of treatment someone is having, so patients should consult with their healthcare professional.
Sophie Williams is a Freelance Journalist and Copywriter, covering everything from Fashion to Entertainment to music, Lifestyle and Features. She has interviewed a range of musical artists and authors including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Barnett, Confidence Man, The Vaccines, Loyle Carner, Gabrielle, and John Niven, and has written for publications like Metro, Reader's Digest, ITV's Woo! and Vice’s NBGA. She is also working on a book for HarperCollins about Taylor Swift, due to be published in 2024.
