Princess of Wales donates majestic Christmas tree from Westminster Abbey carol service to Royal Marsden Hospital

Ahead of Christmas, the Princess of Wales donated a majestic Christmas tree from her annual Together at Christmas carol service to the Royal Marsden Hospital's Sutton branch, a gesture that underscores her ongoing support for cancer patients and research. Kate, 43, has been open about her own cancer journey, including preventative treatment received at the hospital after her diagnosis in 2024, and her subsequent remission announced in January. The donation aligns with her longstanding involvement with The Royal Marsden and its cancer charitable efforts.

The tree came from the Together at Christmas carol service held earlier this month at Westminster Abbey, an event that brought together senior members of the royal family, Kate’s children, and a roster of celebrities including Kate Winslet and Katie Melua. The service marked its fifth year and featured a seasonally ornate display inside the historic church. Decorations from the Westminster Abbey event—prepared for the tree—were subsequently handed to the Royal Marsden for display, with the hospital noting the significance of repurposing festive decor to brighten patients’ surroundings during the holiday season.

Staff at the Royal Marsden expressed gratitude on social media, saying the majestic tree was donated by HRH The Princess of Wales, joint patron of The Royal Marsden with HRH The Prince of Wales, and that it now stands in the Oak Cancer Centre’s entrance in Sutton. The hospital credited Stephen Phair of Premier Plants for donating the decorations and for helping to install them so beautifully. The display serves as a visual reminder of the hospital’s work and of the season’s spirit of giving, and it is positioned to welcome patients and visitors as they enter the Oak Cancer Centre.

This charitable thread fits into a broader pattern of royal support for cancer-related causes and patient welfare. Earlier in December, the royal couple’s charity projects included gifts of flowers and other offerings tied to royal engagements and state events, underscoring a tradition of sharing resources with local communities. In another recent example noted by royal aides, royal decorations and gifts from major events have sometimes been redirected to charitable organizations for broader impact, reflecting the monarchy’s role in practical philanthropy as well as ceremonial duties.

The Royal Marsden itself has a special resonance for Kate. After her own cancer treatment, she has repeatedly highlighted the importance of patient care, early diagnosis, and access to advanced treatment. The hospital’s Oak Cancer Centre, where the tree now stands, is part of a broader campus that has benefited from funds raised by associated charities. One such initiative is the Ever After Garden in Chelsea, designed by Anya Hindmarch, which opened in 2019 and has since raised more than 1.2 million pounds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The garden features more than 30,000 illuminated white roses and offers a quiet space for reflection and remembrance, with a hand-written message from Kate planted in the ground to honor those lost to cancer.

Video and social media posts from the royal family documented Kate’s recent engagements around the Ever After Garden, including a tour with family members and other supporters. In a post shared by the Princess, she expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the garden and its mission, noting that every flower and light stands for memory, love, and hope. The Ever After Garden provides a tangible link between art, memory, and fundraising, allowing the public to support cancer charities while also offering a place for solace during the holidays and beyond.

The latest gift to the Royal Marsden, a tree associated with the Together at Christmas event, arrives at a moment when the monarchy’s health updates are closely watched. King Charles recently spoke in a video message about his cancer treatment, indicating that treatment would be scaled back in the new year while continuing to be undertaken as a precaution. Buckingham Palace said the monarch’s response to treatment had been exceptionally well, and that the reduction in its intensity would move the process into a lower-intensity phase. The cadence of health news from the royal family—paired with acts like Kate’s tree donation—adds a human dimension to public interest in royal life during the holiday season and highlights the ways in which the monarchy supports charitable causes beyond official duties.

The Royal Marsden’s acknowledgement of the gift underlines the hospital’s role as a community hub for patients and families facing cancer. By placing the tree in the Oak Cancer Centre entrance, the hospital creates a visible, seasonal symbol of care and resilience. Visitors and staff can pause to reflect on the season’s meaning while recognizing the ongoing work of cancer research and treatment that the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supports. The gesture also reinforces the public-facing dimension of Kate’s charitable efforts, which have emphasized awareness, remembrance, and patient support throughout the year.

Reaction to the tree gift was swift on social media, with supporters praising the Princess of Wales for drawing attention to the hospital’s work and for prioritizing patient-facing experiences during the holidays. Comments highlighted the emotional impact of such gestures, noting that a public figure’s acts of generosity can lift spirits for patients, families, and hospital staff alike. In the broader context of royal philanthropy, the tree gift sits alongside other philanthropic efforts that aim to translate high-profile events into meaningful community benefits, particularly for those touched by cancer.

As 2025 draws to a close, the Royal Marsden tree stands as a tangible reminder of how the season’s goodwill can intersect with personal histories and ongoing medical care. For Kate and the hospital, the exchange embodies a continuity of care—from a private journey through diagnosis and remission to a public commitment to supporting others navigating cancer. The blue-lit, festive display will likely remain a point of quiet reflection for visitors in the Oak Cancer Centre, while the Ever After Garden’s enduring fundraising impact continues to support patients well into the new year and beyond.