Kate Middleton Shares She ‘Didn’t Have to Have’ Cold Cap Therapy During Chemo, Patient Says

Kate Middleton‘s hair has long been a hallmark of her style, and during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital, a cancer patient revealed that the princess shared she “didn’t have to have” cold cap therapy—a treatment that helps reduce the risk of hair loss—during her cancer treatment.

On Jan. 14, the Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she met with staff and patients undergoing treatment. The unannounced visit coincided with the confirmation that the princess had previously received care at the hospital. Kate, 43, first revealed her diagnosis of an unspecified type of cancer in March 2024 and announced she had completed chemotherapy in September. After her hospital visit, she shared the news that she is now in remission.

Katherine Field, a patient undergoing cancer treatment who met Princess Kate during her visit, tells PEOPLE that they discussed cold capping — a scalp cooling system that can help reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, according to the American Cancer Society. Field, who was wearing a cold cap at the time, said the conversation added a personal connection to their encounter.

“I hate it, but I think it is working. Today there is a little bit of hair coming out, but I’m just trying to delay it,” Field, an art historian and curator, tells PEOPLE.

When asked if Princess Kate mentioned using a cold cap, Field shared, “She just said that she didn’t have to have it. For her to lose her hair, which is so iconic, would have been awful. Everyone loves her hair!”

Field tells PEOPLE she instantly felt at ease upon meeting Princess Kate during her fourth treatment session at the medical center.

“It was just like talking to a friend about a really horrible time in life and how you find ways of getting through it. ‘Finding the new normal’ is what she said, which is absolutely true,” the art professional says.

In a heartfelt photo from Princess Kate’s visit to the Royal Marsden, the royal put a reassuring hand on Field’s knee as she underwent treatment.

“I really love the photo. It was a special moment that not many people get to have,” Field says. “Unfortunately, I had to get cancer to have that moment, but I will add it to my album for sure. I want to remember the good, not just the bad.”

Field described spending time with Princess Kate as feeling like being with a friend, noting that the royal’s empathy was both comforting and energizing.

“It was really nice to talk to her. She was just magnificent. She’s warm, and it just felt like sitting with a girlfriend having a chat, which is pretty hard to achieve in those circumstances. She is very special — to be able to connect with people so quickly and so empathetically,” she tells PEOPLE.

Field describes Kate’s gesture of reaching for her knee as “a moment of connection” she hadn’t anticipated. “I think I was expecting it to be formal and stiff but it was so far from that,” she says.

Like Angela Terry, another cancer patient receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden who met the princess on Jan. 14, Field was struck by Kate’s “genuine” nature, which left a lasting impression.

“She is just very genuine. We were both on the same page, talking about how lucky we are — or were — to be getting the most amazing care from the Marsden. That was my fourth session; you start to recognize people, and you get to know the nurses. There is a real sense of community,” Field tells PEOPLE. “I haven’t told that many people about my diagnosis or spoken to others who have also undergone treatment, so it was nice to speak to her as she’s just gone through so recently.”

“Her first question was, ‘How are you finding treatment?’ and I said, ‘Awful,’ so I think that set the tone for being quite relaxed!” she recalls. “We talked about how long the journey is. I had surgery in September, then doing chemo now, which will finish in March. Then it’s radiotherapy and then hormone treatment – it’s a really long journey.

“For her to have to do that in the public eye…I can’t even imagine,” she adds. “I don’t know how she is doing it all, with three kids too. Going through one of the worst times in your life under such pressure.”

The Princess of Wales, who shares Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, with her husband Prince William, has not disclosed the specific details of her cancer. However, during her visit to the Royal Marsden, Kate shared her most candid insights into her cancer journey, from needing “loads of water and sunlight” to becoming “attached” to her chemo port.

“I was really impressed with how much time she spent with me,” Field says. “I just had the port (the intravenous device for her treatment) put in on Friday, which is just below my collar bone so that’s still very tender, but by the time she arrived, my nurse had just got the chemo going, thankfully.

Field says that Kate shared that she “had the port as well and said it was one of the best things.”

“I’m not quite at the same point, so I think she was trying to reassure me,” Field says. “It makes things so much faster and will be better once the swelling has gone down.”

The Cleveland Clinic defines a chemo port as a small, implantable device designed to administer treatments, including chemotherapy, directly through a vein.

“Everyone was excited to see her, we all feel very lucky to be at the Marsden,” Field continues. “They manage to bring you tea at the moment you need it most!”

Princess Kate expressed her personal gratitude to the Royal Marsden in a social media post following her hospital visit, along with sharing the poignant photo of herself with Field.

“I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year. My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything,” Kate began the message. “We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional.”

“In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is, that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer,” she continued.

The royal called it a “relief” to be in remission and said she remained focused on her recovery.

“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support,” she wrote.