Five hidden messages Princess Kate carefully placed in her touching cancer update video

When the Princess of Wales released a brand new health update video on Monday September 9, the underlying message was just how far Kate had come on her recovery journey since being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer back in January.

In the new update, which featured a deeply intimate and personal insight into Kate’s homelife, the Princess revealed that she had finally completed preventative chemotherapy, marking a huge milestone achievement in her quest to beat the disease.

Yet while the statement is something to be celebrated and allowed many fans of the popular royal to breathe a collective sigh of relief, it was far from the only message conveyed in the video, with five hidden meanings also spotted in the short video clip.

In the video, which runs for just three minutes and was shot by Will Warr at the Wales’ Norfolk home last month, a number of key themes reflect throughout the piece, including the importance of both nature and family.

Placing her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis front and centre, the film also shows the heartwarming bond between Kate and her husband Prince William.

Keeping a positive tone, the video features a joyful atmosphere, with plenty of laughter and playful scenes conveying the hope and enthusiasm Kate has for the future that lies ahead of her.

But what other key hidden messages are in the film?

Nature as a source of comfort and sign of renewal

One of the overarching themes of the entire piece is nature, and since her diagnosis at the start of the year, Kate has found a great deal of comfort in time outdoors.

She has previously spoken of “the power of nature” in maintaining both her physical and mental health and the film reflects this, with the footage showing a stunning shot of the Princess leaning against a tree while looking up at the sky.

In several other scenes, Kate is seen walking through a field of wheat, caressing the sheaves as she extends her hand to a yellow butterfly that then flutters off into the distance to continue its life.

Nature had also previously featured in an earlier update on Kate’s health back in June when she told the public that she had “experienced both good days and bad days” and added that she was “not out of the woods yet.”

This particular update was issued alongside a weeping willow tree, something that is often thought to symbolise resilience, hope, endurance and family.

Compared to the video on Monday, Kate now looks far more joyful and revitalised, indicating a clear change in demeanour and optimism regarding her health battle.

Prince William as her rock

Another key detail that you may have missed is how the film shows a previously unseen side to William and Kate’s relationship.

In the footage, the couple, who are typically notoriously private, are captured leaning on each other, kissing and even clasping hands in a very intimate show of affection.

In several scenes, the Princess rests her head on William’s shoulder and they lie together on their backs, arms wound tightly around each other while laughing and sharing a heartfelt cheek kiss.

When Kate first revealed her diagnosis back in March, the Princess explained that her husband was a “a great source of comfort and reassurance” and this clearly manifests in the latest video update.

The importance of family

Since stepping into the royal spotlight back in 2011, William and Kate have always been clear that family will always be their top priority, and this crucial fact is present in the way family plays a key role throughout the video.

Featuring an assortment of clips that feature their three children, the video also features the Princess of Wales’ parents Carole and Michael Middleton, with a simple but poignant look at the normality that is now present after so many months of uncertainty.

The images in particular harken back to Kate’s own recognition of the “simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved”.

Throughout her cancer battle, the Princess has leant heavily upon her loved ones to support her, with the Middletons having stepped up to help with a number of tasks amid Kate’s recovery.

Late Queen’s family videos

The video style opts for an unusual aesthetic choice, in which much of the footage has been shot in an old-fashioned grainy style, reminiscent of old home movies shot by the late Queen.

The late monarch and her husband Prince Philip were huge fans of capturing key family moments on camera, and the style chosen by filmmaker Will Warr is very reminiscent of the footage from the royal family’s holidays at Balmoral - a subtle but poignant nod to the beloved royal who is now sadly no longer with us.

Driving a Land Rover

Interestingly, the film also features a second nod to the late Queen, when it shows brief footage of Princess Kate driving a Land Rover through the Sandringham estate. Even well into her later years, the Queen loved the independence and freedom being able to drive gave her.

In Kate’s case, the film shows how far she has come in her cancer journey as she is now fit enough to be back at the wheel - a hugely positive step for the royal.

Another detail fans may have missed is that a close-up of the Princess’s left hand on the gear stick shows she is not wearing her famous sapphire engagement ring.