Princess of Wales donates majestic Christmas tree to Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales has donated a majestic Christmas tree from her annual Together at Christmas carol service to the Royal Marsden Hospital’s Oak Cancer Centre in Sutton, marking a high-profile gesture of support for the hospital and its cancer program.

The tree came from the December 5 service at Westminster Abbey, an event that draws senior royals, Kate’s children, and celebrities from the arts and entertainment world to join her in celebrating the season. The decor from the occasion has been placed at the Oak Cancer Centre entrance, where hospital staff posted thanks on social media and thanked partners like Stephen Phair of Premier Plants for their role in decorating the tree.

The Royal Marsden holds particular significance for the princess: after her own cancer diagnosis in 2024, she underwent preventative chemotherapy at the hospital and later announced that she was in remission in January. The donation reinforces the hospital’s close connection with the royal family, with Kate serving as joint patron of The Royal Marsden alongside Prince William.

A source of ongoing support for cancer patients and their families, the Oak Cancer Centre’s entrance now bears a tangible reminder of the Together at Christmas mission, with the tree serving as a focal point for staff and visitors during the festive season.

The exchange is also part of a broader pattern of royal philanthropy that uses charitable partnerships to support health-related initiatives and local communities. For example, after Emmanuel Macron’s State Visit to the UK earlier this year, members of the royal family donated flowers to Floral Angels, a charity associated with the New Covent Garden Market that aids community projects.

In recent weeks Kate has continued to spotlight efforts tied to cancer care and remembrance. She visited the Ever After Garden in Chelsea, an installation created to honor lives lost to cancer and to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. A video shared on her social media account documented her tour of the garden, which invites visitors to dedicate illuminated white roses in memory of loved ones.

The Ever After Garden, designed by Anya Hindmarch, has raised more than £1.2 million for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity since it opened in 2019. It features more than 30,000 illuminated roses and is described by the hospital as a space for quiet reflection during the hectic holiday season. In a post accompanying her visit, the Princess thanked those who contributed to the garden and underscored the importance of remembering those lost to cancer.

The Royal Marsden confirmed the garden’s purpose as a place for quiet reflection, noting that the influx of holiday visitors can bring mixed emotions and that the garden offers a space for remembrance and hope. Fans and supporters responded warmly online, praising the princess for turning a moment of festive cheer into a meaningful public tribute to cancer patients and their families.

Meanwhile, King Charles has been described as deeply moved by the positive reception to his recent video message announcing that his cancer treatment would be scaled back in the New Year. The monarch, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 after an admission for an enlarged prostate, said in the message that his latest health news was the result of early diagnosis, good care, and following doctors’ orders. Buckingham Palace noted that while treatment will continue in a precautionary phase, the approach will be significantly reduced.

The Princess of Wales’s actions this month underscore how the royal family has woven health care philanthropy into public-facing charity work, particularly around cancer charities and hospital foundations. As she moves through the holiday season, Kate’s year-in-review includes both high-profile public appearances and intimate moments aimed at supporting patients and the families who rely on the Royal Marsden and related institutions.