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Charles and Catherine's cancer diagnoses: key dates

King Charles III and his daughter-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales, have been fighting cancer this year, but both have now reported good news with their health battles. 

Charles has been increasingly visible at events while Kate, as she is widely known, said Monday she hoped to undertake more public engagements in the coming months after completing chemotherapy treatment.

- January 17 -

Kensington Palace announces that Catherine, the 42-year-old wife of Charles's elder son and heir Prince William, is facing up to two weeks in hospital after successful abdominal surgery.

Both Kate and Charles were treated at The London Clinic, a private hospital in the British capital
AFP | Adrian DENNIS

The palace says the issue is not cancer-related.

Less than 90 minutes later, Buckingham Palace says that British head of state Charles, 75, will attend hospital the following week for a corrective procedure to treat a benign enlarged prostate.

- January 26 -

Charles has surgery at The London Clinic, the same private clinic where Kate is also recovering from her operation.

- January 29 -

Charles spent three nights in hospital after surgery on an enlarged prostate
AFP | Daniel LEAL

The monarch is discharged from the clinic in central London.

Hours earlier, Kensington Palace had announced that Catherine had also returned home.

- February 5 -

Buckingham Palace announces that Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has begun treatment. 

The palace says the cancer was detected during his hospital procedure. It does not specify the type of cancer.

The king takes an indefinite break from public duties.

- February 6 -

Charles was seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was made public
AFP | HENRY NICHOLLS

The king's estranged son Prince Harry jets in from California to see his father briefly.

Charles is seen for the first time in public since his diagnosis, waving at crowds from a car.

- February 27 -

William pulls out of attending a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine II of Greece, citing a "personal matter". 

Kensington Palace declines to elaborate but says Catherine continues to be "doing well".

British media later report that this is likely the day Catherine found out about her cancer.

- March 10 -

News agencies pulled the photograph of Princess Catherine and her children because it had been doctored
KENSINGTON PALACE/AFP | Prince of Wales

Kensington Palace releases the first official photo of Kate since her abdominal surgery. 

But it sparks a storm after major news agencies including AFP withdraw the photo saying it had been manipulated. 

Catherine later apologises for making alterations to the Mother's Day image.

- March 22 -

An emotional Kate says in a video message that she has cancer and has begun chemotherapy and is "well and getting stronger every day" but asks for "time, space and privacy" as she completes treatment.

- April 26 -

Buckingham Palace announces that Charles will make a limited return to public duties, as doctors are "very encouraged" by his progress.

He makes numerous appearances at different events in the subsequent months.

- June 14 -

Kate said she was 'making good progress' and would attend the Trooping the Colour parade
AFP | BENJAMIN CREMEL

Kate announces she will attend the Trooping the Colour military parade on June 15, saying she was "making good progress" with her treatment but it would continue "for a few more months".

In a social media post, she says she was "not out of the woods yet" but hoped to join a few public engagements in the months ahead.

In July, she attends the Wimbledon men's tennis final, receiving cheers as she walked onto Centre Court to present the trophy to Carlos Alcaraz.

- September 9 -

The princess reveals in a highly personal narrated video message she has finished chemotherapy treatment and that "doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus".

Voiced over montages of Kate, William and their three children enjoying idyllic countryside, she adds her "path to healing and full recovery is long" and that she "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," Kate says.

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