Princess Kate and her father-in-law King Charles have come together for a special event celebrating the 125^th anniversary of a leading UK cancer charity.

The pair have both undergone their own battles with cancer over the past two years, with 44-year-old Kate revealing in 2025 that she was now in remission after having chemotherapy.

A video on the Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account showed her wearing a red dress decorated with small white hearts as she spoke with guests at the Cancer Research UK reception at London’s St James Palace.

“Honoured to meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners driving progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” said the caption.

Queen Camilla and 77-year-old King Charles, who is continuing to undergo treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, also feature in the video. The King is a patron of Cancer Research UK, which carries out research into 200 different types of cancer.

The royals viewed immersive installations showing the charity’s innovations, according to People magazine. Princess Kate spoke with Sebastian Bowen, husband of the late journalist Deborah James, who was also a Cancer Research UK patron.

James, who wrote about her incurable bowel cancer on a blog titled “BowelBabe” and raised funds through her website bowelbabe.org, was given a damehood by Kate’s husband Prince William at her parents’ home in 2022. She died the same year at just 40.

Bowen and the princess reportedly discussed how to tell children about cancer, with Hello! reporting that the former was heard saying “He gave some good advice” – a comment thought to refer to Prince William. Kate is said to have laughed and replied: “Good, he’s good like that.”

Princess Kate spoke with guests at the Cancer Research UK reception. Photo: PA

Kate revealed her own diagnosis in a personal video messaged shared online in March 2024, explaining that the cancer had been found after she underwent major abdominal surgery in London two months earlier.

At the time, People quoted author Sally Bedell Smith, who has written biographies of members of the royal family, as saying Kate and King Charles had always had “a very good bond”.

“I don’t think it is presumptuous to say that she is like the daughter he never had,” she said.

“Obviously, they have this (their cancer battle) in common and can only bring them closer. It is a source of reassurance and consolation for both of them.”

Earlier this month, the Princess of Wales – mother to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8 – visited Italy in what was her first official overseas trip since undergoing cancer treatment. She received a rock-star welcome during the two-day solo visit to Reggio Emilia, which is recognised internationally for its approach to childhood development.

“Undoubtedly, this is a huge moment for the princess,” a royal aide said of the visit. “There will be many highlights of 2026, but this being her first official international visit post her recovery, this is a really significant moment for her.”

Last month, King Charles and Queen Camilla travelled to the US for a four-day state visit during which they were warmly welcomed by President Donald Trump, an unabashed royal fan.