The Princess in Vivid Blue Eponine London for Cancer Center Visit

The Princess brought back an Eponine London dress for a visit to the NHS Christie, a specialist cancer center in Manchester, England.

The center is the largest single-site cancer center in Europe and the first in the UK to be accredited as a comprehensive cancer center. The organization notes on its website that it “serves a population of 3.2 million people from Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas.  

The Princess started her visit at the Oak Road Treatment Center, where she met patients undergoing chemotherapy. As many readers will recall, the Princess received chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer and revealed she was in remission in January 2025.

We learn more from Matt Wilkinson’s story in The Sun. 

Speaking to a patients Kate said: “Sorry to bring so many people down, I know it’s a very personal time. How are you?”

Speaking to a patient, Kate said: “How are you managing? What the human body can put up with is amazing.”

We return to The Sun’s coverage.

When one patient said he “couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife”, Kate replied: “I was just saying, it’s hard for the loved ones.”

She added: “You need to support yourself alongside all the things you can’t control. Your body changes so much, not just physically emotionally, the deeper side of ourselves.”

“They’re doing the work alongside the chemo here; and we want to celebrate that – they do an incredible job. It’s so hard, it’s so hard for the families. It puts so much in perspective and you hold onto what’s important.”

The Princess was at the Christie to learn more about the healing power of holistic therapies, alongside clinical care, for people living with and beyond cancer.  After seeing the patients receiving chemotherapy, she visited the center’s art room.

People’s article notes that she “…joined an art session with patients there, hearing about how creative expression has helped their recoveries.”

The art room extends into the wellbeing garden, which the Princess visited.

We return to the People story. 

…[she spent] time with gardener Phil Walker to understand how the well-being garden provides patients and staff with the chance to pause and reflect. Prince William’s wife has previously said that she found solace in the outdoors during her cancer journey and described nature as her family’s “sanctuary” during the difficult time. 

The Princess’s next stop was the Teenage and Young Adult Unit, where she met staff, young patients , and their families. Here you see her with 10-year-old Ruby Day, who is receiving treatment at the center. 

In this image, I believe she is admiring Ruby’s manicure. 

Hello shared a video of the encounter. 

A hug for Ruby from the Princess. 

In a story on the Christie’s website, the hospital reports that while at the Teenage and Young Adult Unit, the Princess learned “…about the social and recreational activities designed to support young people as they navigate an especially challenging time.”

The Princess also met a patient who was finishing her treatment today. Below, Claire Lorente, age 30, and her husband Pablo, as she rings the bell signifying the end of her treatment for breast cancer.

We return one more time to Matt Wilkinson’s story in The Sun. 

The pair hugged and Claire became emotional as they celebrated the milestone.

Kate held her arm and said to her: “Well done, well done you. What a journey. Well done, you’ve been amazing.” Turning to Claire’s husband Pablo, 30, Kate said: “Well done. I know, it’s just as hard for family and loved ones. For the children, my parents alongside. You go through it with us.”

Claire said afterwards: “It was very overwhelming finishing the treatment itself was a massive thing so obviously sharing with the Princess was overwhelming but absolutely brilliant at the same time.

“She asked me how long treatment had been going and said how far I’ve come.

“My journey is not over but feels like I’ve finished a part of it and feels like I’ve come so far.

After the women spoke, it was time for a hug. 

“It was an amazing lifetime thing to share it with her and I’m never going to get to do it again.

“I don’t think anyone else will experience what I experienced with her.

“It was such a special moment with my friends and family and never going to forget it. It was an amazing moment.”

Here is Matt Wilkinson’s video of the encounter. 

The Princess of Wales shares an emotional moment with Claire Lorente, 30, who rings the bell to signal the end of her cancer treatment, at The Christie centre in Manchester pic.twitter.com/Ycc3DaYWmB

— Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) June 4, 2026

Below, the Princess greets the staff as she prepares to depart. 

And here you see her with a young patient she met outside the hospital. Here is a brief video of the encounter. 

‘You’ll be brilliant, stay strong’ 💙

Such a lovely moment between the Princess of Wales and a young cancer patient at The Christie hospital today 🥺😭 pic.twitter.com/nDFODITNwT

— Belle (@RoyallyBelle_) June 4, 2026

Now for our look at what Kate wore today, starting with her Eponine London Chi Chi coatdress in “London Blue.”

From the S/S 2020 collection, the “Chi Chi” is a tailored midi-length coatdress featuring a wrap front, a V-neck, pleated shoulders, and belt detailing. Some may remember that blue and white are the colors of the NHS (National Health Service). The piece was first worn at COP26 engagements in Glasgow in November 2021.

The Princess also owns this design in a rich burgundy color. Sadly, the label is now closed. Founder and designer Jet Shenkman announced last October that the AW 2025 collection would be Eponine’s last. Below, the designer in an Instagram photo. 

The Princess did not carry a handbag, and she repeated her Gianvito Rossi Praline pumps in the 85mm (3.5″) heel height.

The Princess brought back Vanleles earrings that were first worn at a May 2022 engagement in Manchester. The earrings’ symbol holds special significance for Mancunians, as they feature a bee, Manchester’s symbol. The bee charms are suspended from the jeweler’s Nile Yellow Gold Small Hoops (no longer available online). The bespoke bees are crafted in yellow gold with diamonds, blue sapphires, and enamel. The Princess wore the earrings without the honeycomb today. The photo on the far right below shows them as originally worn in 2022.

We learn more from this Women’s Wear Daily piece.  

The bee is a significant symbol for Manchester, representing the city’s resilience, community and its people’s work ethic. Founded by Vania Leles, Vanleles merges cultural significance and its African roots with modern charms and designs… 

She also brought back her Astley Clarke Stila Lapis Pendant (no longer available; a locket version of the necklace is available here).

If the Princess attends this Saturday’s wedding of Peter Phillips (Princess Anne’s son) and Harriet Sperling, I will see you then!