It was an emotional morning for the Princess of Wales, who met with cancer patients at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust on a visit to Manchester Thursday morning.
Catherine paid a visit to Europe’s largest cancer care centre to learn more about the holistic approaches they offer alongside clinical treatments for up to 60,000 patients each year.
In one of the most poignant moments of the visit, Catherine joined breast cancer patient Claire Lorente, who had just completed chemotherapy, in ringing the bell that signifies the end of treatment.
When Lorente became emotional at the moment and what it represented, Catherine swooped in to hug the young woman and offer words of encouragement. “Well done you, well done you,” she repeated; rubbing Lorente’s arm as she composed herself.
She also spoke with Lorente’s partner, Pablo, about how hard emotionally it is for the family members to support the patient. “I know, it’s just as hard for family and loved ones,” she said, and referred to her children and parents. “You go through it with us.”
Catherine then turned to Lorente’s infant son Enzo and cooed, “Isn’t mummy brave?”
Lorente spoke to reporters afterwards, saying that sharing the moment with Catherine has been “overwhelming but absolutely brilliant at the same time.
“My journey is not over but feels like I’ve finished a part of it, and feels like I’ve come so far. It was an amazing lifetime thing to share it with her and I’m never going to get to do it again. I don’t think anyone else will experience what I experienced with her.”
The Christie offers holistic therapies for free to all of its patients and carers. According to their website, these include “massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture/acupressure, reflexology, therapeutic touch, hypnotherapy and creative visualisation” and they offer drop-in art classes, a garden, and a chaplain.
On The Christie’s website, its CEO, Roger Spencer, said in a statement that welcoming Catherine had been a delight and that it was “an honour to introduce The Princess to the patients and staff involved” in all of the holistic programmes they offer patients.
Catherine’s visit included a pop into the Oak Road Treatment Centre, where she met patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment; a session with the art class to learn more about how creative expression helps patients process their realities; and a visit to The Christie’s Teenage and Young Adult Unit to meet young patients and learn more about the programmes offered to them.
She was overheard praising The Christie, saying “It’s so nice as a patient that you have these agency to take control of your wellbeing and recovery.”
After her visit, Catherine shared a personal message on the Kensington Palace social media account, writing about her “moving visit” to The Christie.
She wrote that meeting everyone had been a “powerful reminder that healing is about so much more than treatment alone” and thanked them for “sharing your stories with me, and for the compassion, creativity and dedication shown every day across the hospital.”
She said: “The Christie’s commitment to holistic care, from art therapy and wellbeing spaces to emotional and spiritual support, helps people navigate not only illness, but the profound impact it can have on quality of life. These services empower patients to play an active role in their recovery and wellbeing, reminding us that care should always be centred on the whole person.”
Catherine was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024 and announced that she is in remission a year later.
