Emma Manners calls diagnosis 'terrifying' as royal family health struggles inspire others to speak out
Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland, has bravely opened up about her own cancer diagnosis following the emotional announcements made by King Charles and Princess Catherine earlier in 2024.
Now in remission after a battle with breast cancer, the Duchess described the experience as “terrifying” in a heartfelt essay for The Telegraph. Reflecting on her diagnosis, she wrote, “Cancer is a hideous disease and the ultimate leveller. No one is immune – not the King of England, the Princess of Wales and certainly not me.”
She added, “Like everyone else who has ever found themselves sitting opposite a doctor being told ‘you have cancer,’ I felt terrified.”
Despite the fear, the Duchess said she drew strength from within during her treatment, recalling a moment of resilience: “‘Hang on, I’m only 60, I’ve got a bit of living left to do.’”
Her story comes at a time when the royal family has been candid about its own health battles. King Charles’s cancer diagnosis was announced by Buckingham Palace in February 2024, with the monarch still undergoing treatment. Princess Catherine revealed her own diagnosis in March and has since shared that she is in remission after completing chemotherapy.
The Duchess of Rutland’s decision to speak out highlights how the openness of senior royals has encouraged others to share their journeys and raise awareness about the realities of facing cancer.
