Princess Catherine calls for ‘compassion and empathy’ in heartfelt plea

Feb 03, 2025
Princess Catherine returns to royal duties with a call for greater empathy and emotional awareness. Source: AP PHOTO.

In her first major public message since returning to official duties following cancer treatment, Princess Catherine has called on people to demonstrate more compassion and empathy to foster a healthier and happier society.

Catherine shared her thoughts in the foreword of a report released on Sunday, February 2 by the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she launched in 2021.

The centre, set up as part of Catherine and Prince William’s Royal Foundation charity arm, said its new Shaping Us Framework aims to improve awareness of the importance of such skills and offer a “robust yet flexible” model towards a healthy and happy life.

“To create a physically and mentally healthier society, we must reset, restore, and rebalance,” she began.

“That means taking a profound look at ourselves and our own behaviours, emotions, and feelings. It means getting much better at acting with compassion and empathy towards one another… better understanding how we can protect and build upon what connects and unites us… and acknowledging that society is something we build together, through the actions we take every day.

“At the heart of all of this is the need for us to develop and nurture a set of social and emotional skills which we must prioritise if we are to thrive.”

Catherine has gradually returned to her public royal duties following her cancer battle, which she recently revealed she is now in remission from.

Catherine made the positive announcement after visiting the Royal Marsden Hospital in central London, where she had undergone months of treatment, marking her first solo public engagement since returning to official duties.

She met patients and staff and spoke of the care she had received. The trip also marked the announcement that she had become joint patron of the specialist cancer unit with her husband Prince William.

Following her visit, Catherine took to social media to express her gratitude to those who cared for her while sharing that she is now focused on recovery and embracing life in remission.

“I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year,” she began.

“My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything.

“We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional.

“In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is, that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer.

“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. C.”

-with Reuters & PA.

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