The Princess of Wales celebrated her 44th birthday with the release of a 'deeply personal' video about the 'fears' and 'tears' of her cancer journey.
Released earlier on January 9, the three-minute clip, titled 'Winter', was the fourth and final instalment of Kate's year-long 'Mother Nature' series, which began after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
While Kate has never publicly revealed the sort of cancer she was diagnosed with, the videos she has shared with millions of fans who follow her and husband Prince William are widely regarded as being honest reflections of her health battle.
A palace spokesperson said the final video marked the 'culmination of a deeply personal project for the princess' that seemed to draw inspiration from the 'unique' clip of Kate first announcing she had been diagnosed with the disease.
While the settings of the videos have changed, they have all had a 'vulnerability', with famously shy Kate allowing herself to step into a new era as a senior royal while navigating her gruelling treatment and, thankfully, the road to recovery.
It is this openness and authenticity that have seen Kate's popularity soar as she returned to work, with royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noting she has been 'enormously courageous to share her story in the way she has'.
'She followed her initial video with one more as Kate confirmed she had completed preventative chemotherapy,' Mr Fitzwilliams said.
They were met with a 'heartfelt response from the public' that has given Kate a quiet 'confidence' while seeking 'new ways to engage with people', the royal commentator noted.
And it was the 'darkest' days of her life that inspired 'a season of rebirth' for Britain's future Queen.
December 25, 2023: Christmas at Sandringham
Kate accepting a bouquet of roses from a young royal fan, who looked at the princess adoringly, outside St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham on December 25, 2023.
When Kate joined the royal family for their annual Christmas church service in Sandringham in 2023, nothing seemed amiss.
Wearing her trademark smile, Kate walked past onlookers while holding hands with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, now 10, as she made her way to St Mary Magdalene church on the King's Norfolk estate.
Laden with bouquets, she thanked fans who had gathered outside the church and wished them a 'Merry Christmas' in what would become her last public outing before June 2024.
January 16, 2024: Kate underwent abdominal surgery
After it became a Twitter/X frenzy, Kensington Palace finally addressed Kate's 23-day absence from public life in a statement confirming the princess had undergone planned abdominal surgery.
The statement added Kate would not undertake any public duties until after Easter, as a palace spokesperson also sought to quell the wild conspiracy theories about her whereabouts with a request from the Princess.
Through them, Kate reiterated 'her wish that her personal medical information remains private' while maintaining 'as much normality' for the Waleses' three children - Prince George, 12, Charlotte, and seven-year-old Prince Louis.
January 29, 2024: Kate is discharged
The Prince of Wales was seen leaving the London Clinic after visiting Kate on January 18, 2024. The princess was discharged 11 days later as the Palace confirmed she is 'making good progress'
After 13 days at the London Clinic in Marylebone - where the King also underwent 'planned medical treatment' before sharing his own cancer diagnosis - Kate was discharged on January 29, 2025.
The Palace confirmed Kate is 'making good progress' after her husband Prince William was spotted leaving the clinic after visiting Kate on January 18, 2024.
March 22, 2024: Kate confirms she has been diagnosed with cancer
The Princess confirmed she was in the 'early stages' of preventative course of chemotherapy after post-surgery tests revealed 'cancer had been present'
But Kate's health troubles were far from over.
The princess confirmed she had been diagnosed with cancer in a video that 'was so moving that some viewers wept', Mr Fitzwilliams said.
She did not disclose the kind of cancer that had been found but revealed she was in the 'early stages' of a course of preventative chemotherapy.
She asked for 'time, space, and privacy' for the sake of the Waleses' young children - George, 12; Charlotte, 10; and Louis, seven.
Mr Fitzwilliams said: 'This video was unique in that it communicated with us directly and addressed the issue of serious illness and how you deal with it in a family with children.'
'It is an appalling dilemma - especially when you are in the eye of the media storm.'
June 15, 2024: Kate joins Trooping the Colour celebrations
Kate joined her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as thousands of royal fans cheered for the Princess
All eyes were on Kate as she made her first public appearance since the cancer diagnosis and joined the Royal Family to celebrate the King's official birthday on June 14.
Kate's appearance had been in doubt after she missed the final Trooping rehearsal, but with the King also suffering from an undisclosed kind of cancer, the spectacle of military pomp and pageantry became a symbolic statement of togetherness by the monarchy after a period of uncertainty.
July 14, 2024: Kate receives a standing ovation at Wimbledon
In a sign of the 'very real affection' the public has for Kate, she received a warm standing ovation as she watched the men's singles final at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024. She is seen here smiling, as Kate's young daughter Charlotte appeared to savour the moment
In one of the few engagements Kate carried out while receiving treatment, the princess - who is patron of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club - made her way to the Royal Box at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024.
As she took her place for the Men's Singles Final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, she was greeted with a heartwarming standing ovation that Mr Fitzwilliams said is 'symbolic' of the very real affection people have for Kate.
September 9, 2024: Kate confirms she has completed cancer treatment
Kate said she had 'finally' completed her treatment in a poignant video featuring her family
In a poignant video that featured William as well as the three Wales children, Kate announced she had 'finally' completed the chemotherapy treatment.
The three-minute-long clip was filmed on a beach in Norfolk and gave royal fans an unprecedented glimpse into their family life.
The unprecedented piece of deeply personal film directed by Will Warr - who is also behind the 'Mother Nature' series - featured the Princess' parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who have been an unwavering source of support.
In a voiceover, Kate reflected on how the 'complex, scary, and unpredictable' journey had brought her 'face-to-face with her own vulnerabilities'.
Kate confirmed she was beginning a gradual return to work before ending the video with a deeply moving and emotional message to fellow cancer patients and their families.
'To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey - I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.'
October 2, 2024: Kate meets 'inspirational' cancer-stricken photographer Liz Hatton
Kate warmly embraced Liz Hatton, the inspirational teen photographer from Harrogare who died after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive tumour, during an emotionall-charged meeting at Windsor Castle
After promising to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with cancer survivors, Kate was introduced to inspirational teenager Liz Hatton in an emotionally-charged, private meeting on October 2, 2024.
Liz, who was battling a rare and aggressive tumour and tragically died at the age of 17, had been invited to take pictures at Windsor Castle after he learned of her photography bucket list.
On what would have been Liz's 18th birthday,Kate and William honoured her legacy after the teen from Harrogate captured the nation's heart.
January 14, 2025: Kate confirms she is in remission
Kate returned to Royal Marsden - the London hospital where she underwent cancer treatment - for her first solo engagement of 2025 before confirming she is in remission
On January 14, 2025, Kate carried out her first solo royal engagement of the year as she visited the Royal Marsden in London in her new role as Joint Patron before officially confirming she is in remission from cancer.
The visit was also note-worthy as Kate underwent her own treatment at the hospital and spoke candidly about her experience with one patient.
'It's really tough... It's such a shock... Everyone said to me, "Please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference."'
In a statement posted on social media,Kate said it was 'a relief to be in remission' and that she was 'looking forward to a fulfilling year'.
Mr Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that Kate's decision to talk about her own journey has helped a 'great many people' on their own paths.
'She has earned public admiration, is confident and seems happy with William being so supportive and this bodes very well for the future.'