King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a reception in London’s St James’s Palace on Tuesday night to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK.
Not only were Their Majesties joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, but the Princess of Wales also surprised fans with her last-minute plans to join the celebrations, announced by Kensington Palace just hours before the event.
This will be an evening close to Kate and Charles’ hearts, as they have been directly impacted by the charity’s work with their personal health struggles.
Poignant evening
Princess Kate’s cancer was discovered during an abdominal surgery in 2024, and she announced in March 2024 that she’d be undergoing chemotherapy, which was completed by September. The mother of three, who shares Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with Prince William, announced she was in remission at the start of 2025.
Meanwhile, her father-in-law, King Charles, is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer after being diagnosed just weeks apart from the Princess of Wales in 2024.
He revealed in December 2025 that it was being reduced in a Stand Up To Cancer campaign video, calling the milestone a “personal blessing and testimony to remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care”.
During the reception, the monarch, who is patron of Cancer Research UK, met with researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in the charity’s prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. He also caught up with high-profile supporters of the charity, including Davina McCall. Take a look at the best moments from the evening…
© Getty ImagesPrincess Kate’s elegant outfit
The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she arrived in the Throne Room at St James’s Palace in a red heart-print dress from Rodarte, which featured a belted waist and white lapels.
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetPrincess Diana similarities
Royal fans drew similarities between Kate’s latest look and that of the late Princess Diana’s red and white polka-dot jacket in Tetbury in 1981.
© Getty ImagesAll smiles
The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she shared a joke with guests. She looked delighted to return to royal duties following her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ half-term break from Lambrook School.
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaDavina McCall’s confession
Davina McCall told Princess Kate that King Charles called her after she announced she had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2024, which she had removed before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. She then returned the favour, showing her support for the monarch by reaching out after hearing about his cancer diagnosis in 2024.
© Getty ImagesDavina’s curtsy
Davina looked beautiful in blue as she executed the perfect curtsy when greeting King Charles.
The TV presenter, who received the “all clear” in April following her breast cancer diagnosis in October 2025, later told PA: “It was a really wonderful exchange, and they (the King, Queen and princess) are all wonderful.
“I can’t imagine what it must be like having going through something like cancer, and then sort of having to tell people about it, when possibly it would have been much easier and nicer to not have to share it with the world.”
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesQueen Camilla
Queen Camilla looked radiant in a pastel blue coat dress and Chanel heels as she followed her husband King Charles down the line of guests.
They stopped to watch a Cancer Research UK display, which formed part of the immersive installations showcasing the work of the charity.
© Getty ImagesRonan and Storm Keating
The monarch took the time to greet Ronan Keating and his wife Storm, who looked summery in white and pink ensembles.
The singer could be heard telling Kate: “I lost my mother to breast cancer in 1998.”
Ronan set up the Marie Keating Foundation in memory of his mother and hosts the annual Emeralds & Ivy Ball to help fund the Cancer Awareness Roadshow.
© Getty ImagesHannah Fry on royals’ ‘humanising’ experience
Hannah Fry revealed she discussed the King’s supportive message for the Stand Up to Cancer campaign, which aired in December.
“We spoke about what a massive difference that made to have somebody like him who has been through it and survived cancer and had the same experience as so many people across the country,” she said.
“But I think on a more personal level, as someone who’s had cancer, I know he’s had cancer too, I know the princess has also come through her own cancer journey, I think that there is something really profound about a family who are, you know, at the very top of society, who are going through the same ordeals as the rest of us.
“I think there’s something very humanising about that, and I think that being willing to, I guess, you know, kind of talk to people on a level about that journey, was something that I really think made a really big difference,” the mathematician added.