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Katherine, Princess of Wales, might have handed out trophies to Wimbledon winners in the past as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, but she was also something of a winner herself after making her triumphant return to the public eye following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year. While she continues to battle the disease, her appearance at the Wimbledon women's final proved to be one of her little wins amid her ongoing struggle.
A palace source said the outing will have given her a boost as her preventative chemotherapy treatment continues. "Katherine is going through something very difficult and stressful, and it is crucial to have little victories to look forward to or that give you the courage and energy to keep going," the source told reporters. "This was one of those moments for her."
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By all accounts, Katherine's trip to Wimbledon, which marked only her second public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March 2022, will be her last major engagement of the season. While she will still carry out some private meetings, she is taking time to focus fully on her health as she continues treatment. The future Queen is wisely listening to her doctors' advice and taking everything at her own pace despite her desire to support as many causes and organizations as possible.
Even as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy, the royal appears to be in good spirits. In a heartfelt message shared on her Instagram account in June 2022, Katherine shared that nature has been her tonic following her abdominal surgery and cancer treatment. An accompanying photo showed the princess relaxing in the shade of a tree ahead of her appearance at the Trooping the Colour ceremony last month.
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"Nature was everything to me during my treatment and however I was feeling, I got up and got outside into nature every single day," she wrote. "After my surgery, I was a lot slower at walking, so it gave me a real appreciation for just being outside and watching things grow."
Katherine went on to say that she loves watching flowers grow and finds that nature teaches profound life lessons. "It teaches us about things we can and can't control, and about healing," she said. "Even when it feels like time has stopped for us, life goes on around us."
The princess recognizes how restorative simply walking in nature can be. "It can change your whole mood and your whole day," she noted. For anyone struggling through difficult times, as she has been, Katherine says that nature is the "perfect companion" for grounding and lifting the spirits.
Since publicly announcing her diagnosis in March 2022, the royal mother of three has understandably kept a low profile while focusing fully on her recovery. Other than her Instagram update in June, she has only provided one other statement about her treatment continuing for a few more months. Taking each day as it comes and living with uncertainty, Katherine has shown remarkable courage and character during this challenging time.
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Her decision to attend the Wimbledon final in July despite knowing the world's eyes would be on her was a testament to her strength. Part of what may have lifted her spirits was the standing ovation she received upon arrival in the Royal Box. Video footage showed Hollywood stars like Benedict Cumberbatch, Julia Roberts, and Tom Cruise all enthusiastically applauding for the princess.
Cruise's reaction in particular seemed to captivate many observers, as the actor was seen smiling from ear to ear while clapping very enthusiastically. This has led some to speculate that Tom Cruise simply admires and respects Katherine a great deal. Whenever he sees her in person, it appears he is genuinely thrilled. Others have even theorized the retired Mission: Impossible star may have a bit of a crush on the future Queen after observing his reactions to her over the years.
Other videos have surfaced of Cruise and Katherine interactions at past events, including clips from May 2022 when the royal couple attended the Top Gun: Maverick London premiere. The moment that received widespread attention was when Cruise took Katherine's hand to assist her as she climbed some stairs - an unusual gesture, as royals generally aren't to be touched in public.
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While Cruise's action briefly caused a stir, most believe the revered American movie star simply meant to be a gentleman and didn't realize the protocol. Regardless of any rumors, Katherine appeared grateful for Cruise's kind assistance that evening as she continues showing her characteristic grace even during challenging times. With her devoted husband William and their three children also supporting her every step of the way, the princess remains an inspiration to many worldwide in her resilient fight against cancer.
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