Sarah Ferguson Says Royal Family Is ‘All Supporting Each Other’ amid King Charles and Kate’s Cancer News
The Duchess of York, who received two cancer diagnoses in the past year, recently told PEOPLE that the “key to life” is being there for one another
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Sarah Ferguson says that the royal family is coming together as King Charles and Kate Middleton undergo treatment for cancer.
The Duchess of York, 64, made the revelation in conversation with Hello! magazine, where she spoke about personally navigating two cancer diagnoses in the last year. Since the start of the year, the King, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York have all shared that they have been diagnosed with cancer.
“I think the key is that you don’t have to be in anyone’s face – the odd note, the odd: ‘Hello, we’re all here,” Ferguson, popularly known as Fergie, said about the royal family’s support system in a story published on June 3.
“I was so impressed that the King became patron of Cancer Research U.K.; it’s such an amazing move,” she explained. The monarch, 75, returned to public-facing duties on April 30 for the first time since the palace announced that he was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment in February with a visit to Macmillan Cancer Centre at the University College Hospital London. It doubled as his first day as patron of the organization, taking over a post previously held by his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
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“And I think the Princess of Wales was so brave with that video. I think family unity is key,” Fergie continued, referring to Princess Kate’s self-written speech to share the news about her health on March 22.
“I love that the royal family are all supporting each other and carry on,” she said.
Fergie, who was married to King Charles’ younger brother Prince Andrew from 1986 to 1996, previously shared a similar sentiment about family togetherness to PEOPLE when asked if she had been able to offer support to the King and the Princess of Wales, 42, amid their cancer diagnoses.
“I think family unity is key…I think the key to life is that we all support each other,” she told PEOPLE at the 2024 amfAR Gala during the Cannes Film Festival on May 23.
The Duchess of York said she is “feeling better than ever” after a taxing year in her interview with Hello!
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In June 2023, a spokesperson for Fergie said that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a successful single mastectomy. The Duchess of York kept fans looped on her recovery on social media and advocated for the importance of early cancer detection through screenings.
In January, she shared that she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, following a post-operative analysis of a mole removed during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy. A source told PEOPLE in March that the Duchess of York was “very relieved” to learn that her skin cancer had not spread. The author and advocate told friends that she had further surgery around the edges of the site of the mole and her lymph nodes.
“Fortunately, they have turned out to be clear. This is the best news she could have on it at this stage,” a friend told PEOPLE at the time, adding that she would have to attend checkups every 12 weeks.
Three weeks later, the Duchess of York penned a personal message on Instagram after Princess Kate announced that she had cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
“All my thoughts and prayers are with the Princess of Wales as she starts her treatment,” the Duchess of York wrote online on March 25. “I know she will be surrounded by the love of her family and everyone is praying for the best outcome.”
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“As someone who has faced their own battles with cancer in recent months, I am full of admiration for the way she has spoken publicly about her diagnosis and know it will do a tremendous amount of good to raise awareness,” she continued. “I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal.”
Prince William’s wife has been outside of the spotlight since the March announcement about her health. However, sources recently told PEOPLE that Princess Kate has recently been spotted out with her family and solo running errands.
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