Kate Middleton's New Photo for World Cancer Day Has a Hidden Meaning: Inside the Significance

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Prince Louis/The Prince and Princess of Wales/X

Prince Louis/The Prince and Princess of Wales/X

Kate Middletonreleased two new photos and a personal message to commemorate World Cancer Day a few weeks after announcing she isin remission on her own cancer journey, and one image came with a deeper meaning.

Nature has been a source of joy for the princess over the past year, a feeling reflected in both pictures.

A picture credited to Kate Middleton and issued on Feb. 3, 2025.The Prince and Princess of Wales/X

The Prince and Princess of Wales/X

The Princess of Wales seems to be embracing ferns as an uplifting symbol in recent months. Ferns are among the oldest plants on earth and are widely interpreted as a symbol of endurance, resilience and new beginnings given their ability to flourish in diverse conditions. The unfurling fronds of the ancient plants represent growth and renewal, and Princess Katesent a message through her jewelrywhen she wore fern-shaped earrings to visit the grieving community of Southport in the fall.

In October 2024, Kate joined William for anunannounced outingto the town in England where three children were tragically killed in amass stabbing attackat aTaylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class in July. It was Princess Kate’s first outing after she announced in September that she completedchemotherapy treatment(following her March 2024 announcement that she was undergoingtreatment for cancer).

Kate Middleton in Southport, England on Oct. 10, 2024.Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty

Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty

“Ferns are a symbol of endurance, resilience and new beginnings,” Catherine Zoraida Blackwell, the designer behind the goldhandcrafted earringsfrom her namesake label, told PEOPLE then. “It’s lovely to see her back, doing what she loves, the things she cares about so much about.”

“She’s so good at sending those thoughtful messages, and I love that about her. She’s so thoughtful and caring in every way,” added Blackwell, whose work Kate has worn since 2012, the year after she married Prince William.

Kate Middleton and Prince William in Southport, England on Oct. 10, 2024.Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty

Kate’s World Cancer Day post came almost three weeks after hersurprise visitto the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, after which she relayed her “relief” that she is in remission. The outing coincided with the confirmation that the royal previously received treatment at the renowned hospital and was taking on the patronage of the medical center with Prince William.

There was also a deeper meaning to the new picture of Princess Kate shared before World Cancer Day because Prince Louis took it! The photo showed Kate bundled up in casual clothes, standing with her arms outstretched in the woods of Windsor.

A picture of Kate Middleton credited to Prince Louis, issued on Feb. 3, 2025.Prince Louis/The Prince and Princess of Wales/X

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source: people.com