Princess Kate Reveals How She Coped When She Couldn't 'Read' or 'Focus' During Cancer Treatment
During a visit to a cancer care hospital, the Princess of Wales revealed that chemotherapy left her struggling to focus.
Princess Kate recently opened up about how she coped with one of the most challenging parts of her cancer journey. During a visit to a cancer care hospital, the Princess of Wales revealed that chemotherapy left her struggling to focus, making even simple activities like reading difficult. So, she found comfort in a creative hobby that helped her relax without any pressure to achieve a finished result.
Speaking with fellow cancer patients during a visit to the Christie cancer care hospital in Manchester last month, the 44-year-old opened up about the cognitive side effects she experienced while undergoing chemotherapy. “I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have the ability to read or really focus on anything,” she recalled, describing how treatment affected her concentration. Watch the video here.
The Princess continued, “[Coloring] was my way of exploring interesting things and being able to do something that did not require an end product, or an end finished piece. [It was] just a way of playing and losing yourself.” Many cancer patients, just like Kate, experience similar symptoms, often referred to as "chemo brain" or "chemo fog." As per the Mayo Clinic, the condition can cause problems with memory, concentration, and mental clarity. While experts do not fully understand what causes it, it is believed to result from a combination of factors, including cancer treatment, the disease itself, stress, pain, and sleep problems.
Kate first revealed her cancer diagnosis in early 2024 and completed chemotherapy later that year. In January 2025, she announced that she was in remission before gradually returning to her public duties. Meanwhile, her love for art and creativity is something she has nurtured for years. Kate studied art history at the University of St Andrews, where she graduated in 2005.
Prince William also revealed in 2016 that his wife enjoyed adult coloring books after meeting illustrator Johanna Basford, whose bestselling Secret Garden coloring book became a favorite of many adults. Just like their mother, creativity has also become an important part of her three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. They have all inherited an interest in art just like her.
Earlier this year, the Princess shared portraits her children had drawn of her as part of her Shaping Us initiative, which highlights the importance of creative play in children's emotional and social development. During another royal engagement last autumn, Kate revealed that George, Charlotte and Louis had spent much of their summer "crafting in every corner of the house," showing that creativity continues to play a meaningful role in both her public work and personal life.
