A Chance Encounter

When Angela Terry Met Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales

On January 14th, I was at The Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH), watching the world go by while waiting in line for routine blood tests. I could tell something was happening—there were lots of very smartly dressed people around and an air of anticipation. Meanwhile, I was simply wondering whether I’d make it in time to catch the next train home when, suddenly, the Princess of Wales walked by!

She was there to thank the staff who had cared for her during her treatment and to speak with patients also receiving care at RMH Chelsea. "She wanted to show her gratitude to the incredible team and also highlight the world-leading care and treatment The Marsden provides," a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.

Her presence was a huge boost for fellow cancer patients like myself. Later that day, I was thrilled to read that she is now in remission—but that doesn’t mean she’s through it. Cancer changes you. It invites you to evaluate and review your life, which can be both exciting and daunting. It also gives you an opportunity to ask: Who am I now? Who do I want to be? How is my life configured, and is that working well for me? It’s a chance to be true to yourself and to make those changes you always thought you would make one day. There’s a heightened sense of urgency—an end to the belief that I can do that another time. That one day, that other time, is now.

I had always been a "fan" of Princess Catherine, but she was even more than I expected her to be. She has such poise and elegance, yet she is incredibly genuine and sincere. She is warm and personable. I watched as she spoke with other patients—her gentle eye contact, the way she reached out with a touch on the shoulder or held their hand, and how her smile never faded. The level of connection she makes with each and every person she meets is phenomenal.

Meeting Kate was also a huge boost for the charity. As we chatted, she took time to listen and asked about the rise in the number of non-smokers, women, and younger people being diagnosed with lung cancer. She immediately made the connection between the stigma of lung cancer and what it must be like for someone who has never smoked, as well as the shock of a diagnosis for someone young and otherwise healthy.

I was fortunate to be photographed with Kate before the formal photographs and interviews were released. Natasha and Laura moved quickly, getting our images out on Instagram and X before any others were available. As a result, we made the lunchtime and early evening editions of Sky News. A flurry of activity followed, with our photos appearing in 14 news publications as far afield as the USA and India. Posts on X received 118,000 views, and we secured slots on local BBC radio stations. Every photo was attributed to our charity:

"Kate Middleton and Angela Terry at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14, 2025. Photo: EGFR+ Lung Cancer UK/Instagram."

A chance encounter, a personal dream meeting for me, and an incredible opportunity to raise awareness for our charity.

Angela Terry, Non-Executive Chair