[imagesource: Kensington Palace]

Kate Middleton’s latest health update is a far cry from the old-school royal updates, which clung to the bare essentials and were as dry as a desert.

The Princess of Wales has spoken of her relief at completing her course of chemotherapy, in a highly personal video released by Kensington Palace. The royal revealed in March that she was undergoing cancer treatment and has been out of sight of the public for much of this year.

In an emotional video message has an almost melancholy tone, as Catherine walks in the countryside with her family, reflecting on how this year has been “incredibly tough” and “that life as you know it can change in an instant”.

The royal family could have provided a traditional press release or a statement delivered to the camera, but instead, the public has been given a well-lit, soft-focus, cinematic and stylised video with an intimate first-person narration, notes the BBC.

This is clearly a well-planned approach to releasing information, with the filming by Will Warr taking place in Norfolk last month, and the changes of clothes suggesting more than one filming session.

This richer, more polished approach mirrors the trend of celebrities and public figures speaking directly to their audience, embracing the language of social media over traditional interviews or news outlets. It gives them full control of the narrative—letting evocative music and seamless editing tell the story, leaving little room for questions about her health or treatment.

The video is framed in a relatable way, with Kate in a casual dress, spending time with her family in the woods and by the beach, playing a game with her own parents. There is also Catherine’s narration, in a movie voiceover style, capturing her sense of cautious optimism, as she welcomes the end of her chemotherapy while at the same time recognising the fragility of life.

Is this where Norfolk meets Hollywood plus Instagram?

The video might even echo the feel of a film like About Time, with its haunting music, bittersweet themes, and a poignant narration about how life’s unforeseen moments can forever alter a family.

It almost becomes a prayer at the end, with the invocation: “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.”

This update sends a positive message about her progress, but there is a long road still to go. Kensington Palace has indicated it is not possible at this stage to say whether she is cancer-free.

[source:bbc]