Royal hug for woman ringing cancer treatment bell

Catherine, Princess of Wales has hugged and congratulated a young mother celebrating the completion of her course of chemotherapy.

The princess, who revealed at the start of 2025 she was in remission from cancer, joined Claire Lorente as the 30-year-old rang the "end of treatment bell" at The Christie hospital in Manchester in front of family members and staff.

Catherine was visiting the specialist cancer unit to see the wide range of holistic care that was offered there.

She told Claire she had "done brilliantly", adding: "Well done you... what a journey. It's been a tough one, yeah?"

The princess also embraced Claire's partner Pablo and told him it was "just as hard for the family and loved ones", adding to Claire's young son: "Isn't Mummy brave?"

Catherine encouraged Claire to ring the bell while saying: "You can do it."

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 60,000 patients a year, and serves a population of 3.2 million people from Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas.

Among its holistic therapies, all free of charge to patients and carers, are drop-in art classes, a wellbeing garden and a chaplaincy service.

During her visit, Catherine joined in an art session with six patients.

Resident artist Patricia Mountfield told the princess treatment could be "very isolating for some people".

"We have patients who come in and forget about everything while they are in here," she said.

Catherine said she knew from her own experience that having cancer "changes you in so many ways physically but also emotionally and psychologically, and actually finding ways to express that and to explore that is quite difficult".

"To do this in a clinical setting is really important," she added.

Andi, who has been using the therapies while receiving treatment, told Catherine it had "been a lifeline".

"I have come in for my fix," she said.

"I didn't think something so good could come out of having breast cancer and it's amazing to find this family, this community.

"It really helps me going forward."

She added that she was "not naturally talented but I'm evolving".

Catherine then moved to the adjoining wellbeing garden and spoke to patients undergoing treatment.

She completed her visit at The Christie's Teenage and Young Adult unit, which has a music room, gym and lounge.

Roger Spencer, chief executive of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, said it had been an "honour" to show the princess what was available.

"We're proud to have a person-centred approach to care that focuses on the individual, and not just their diagnosis," he said.

Following the visit, Catherine posted on Instagram that meeting patients, families and staff had been "a powerful reminder" that healing was about "so much more than treatment alone".

"A cancer diagnosis affects every part of life, in mind, body and the deeper part of ourselves," she said.

"The way we process fear, uncertainty and change is deeply personal."

She said the holistic care at The Christie "empowered" patients to "play an active role" in their recovery.

"Thank you for sharing your stories with me, and for the compassion, creativity and dedication shown every day across the hospital," she added.

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