Hands in her pockets, smiling and relaxed face, Kate beams. Published this January 9 for its 43e anniversary, the black and white photo is signed by photographer Matt Porteous – who had already taken his portrait under a tree, the one which announced his arrival at the ceremony Trooping The Colour, on June 15, 2024. The never-before-seen photo was taken in Windsor last summer, before she announced to the world, via a moving video, the end of her chemotherapy. The image is therefore not only that of a princess well in her sneakers, but above all of a fighter. A courage that her husband, Prince William, wanted to salute in a very personal message signed with a simple “W”.
“To the most incredible wife and mother, wrote in the caption the one who was her rock during these ten months of cancer treatment. The strength you have shown over the past year is remarkable.” However, intimate declarations from the heir to the Crown, and more generally from a Windsor, towards his other half are rare. “It is very unusual for a member of the royal family to make such a personal message to their husband public,” says Chris Ship, royal columnist for ITVon his social networks. Before adding: “But it reflects the difficult year that William and Kate have just gone through following his cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy.”
Some would even think that it is an open response to the Christmas letter from the Princess of Wales sent ahead of her traditional concert Together at Christmas. “Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light,” it read. Half-heartedly, she confided that she had found in the love of those close to her, and especially of William, a reason to believe and hope. “George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you”, underlines the Prince of Wales who does not forget to wish him on his birthday. “We love you so much.”
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