Princess Kate revealed a significant lifestyle change during a recent public appearance, sharing that she has largely given up alcohol since her cancer diagnosis in 2024.
The 44-year-old Princess of Wales made the candid disclosure while visiting Southwark Brewing Company in London on March 12 with Prince William. She declined offers of beer and cider as the couple toured the Bermondsey Beer Mile.
“Since my diagnosis, I haven’t had much alcohol. It’s something I have to be a lot more conscious of now,” Princess Kate told the brewery during the visit, according to royal editor Matt Wilkinson of The Sun.
The revelation marks a rare public comment from the Princess about how her cancer journey has affected her daily life. Catherine announced her cancer diagnosis in a video message in March 2024, revealing that doctors had detected the disease following abdominal surgery two months earlier. She completed chemotherapy in September 2024 and announced in January 2025 that she was in remission.
During the brewery visit, Princess Kate opted for a soft drink instead of alcohol. She joked with the crowd while stirring one of the brewhouse’s kettles, asking, “What am I doing?” The Princess then turned her attention to Prince William, noting that he remains a cider enthusiast in their household. William confirmed to onlookers that he “grew up on cider in the West Country.”
Medical experts note that reducing alcohol consumption can be an important health decision for cancer survivors. Dr. Philippe Spiess, a urologic oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, told ABC News that lifestyle changes can help patients take control of their health after a diagnosis, including potentially reducing the chance of developing other cancers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization both recognize that alcohol consumption has been linked to multiple types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, and mouth and throat cancer. According to the CDC, more than 20,000 people in the U.S. die from alcohol-related cancers each year.
Princess Kate has not disclosed the specific type or stage of cancer she battled, but she has spoken openly about the challenges of recovery. During a visit to Colchester Hospital on July 2, 2025, she reflected on the post-treatment phase, describing recovery as “a roller coaster” that isn’t as smooth as people expect.
The March 12 outing wasn’t entirely alcohol-free for the Princess, however. On Tuesday, March 17, Princess Kate attended the Irish Guards’ St. Patrick’s Day parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot in her role as Colonel of the regiment. Following tradition, she sipped a half pint of Guinness with soldiers and their families, even putting money behind the bar for the troops.
The brewery visit was part of a busy day of engagements for William and Catherine around the River Thames. The couple also visited Borough Market, where Princess Kate showed off her barista skills at Change Please, a social enterprise that trains homeless people in coffee retail. They stopped at Humble Crumble bakery, where both donned aprons to make desserts, and later toured the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Tower Lifeboat Station.
Sydney Horsted, a lead lifeguard supervisor at the RNLI, described the royal couple as “completely down to earth” during their visit. “They were just a normal couple, really happy,” she told Hello! magazine.
Princess Kate has also maintained her connection to The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she received treatment during her cancer journey. On March 13, she sent daffodils and a handwritten note to the hospital’s patients and staff. “As spring arrives, these narcissi from the Isles of Scilly are to say I am thinking of you all. Catherine,” the Princess wrote.
Catherine and William became Joint Patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust on January 14, 2025, marking their commitment to supporting cancer care and research. William has held the role of president at the hospital since 2007, a role that previously belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana.
The Princess has gradually returned to royal duties following her remission announcement, balancing her public role with her ongoing recovery. She and Prince William are parents to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.