Princess Beatrice spoke about Sarah Ferguson after her mother’s battle with cancer, saying she’s “always been an inspiration” to her.
The 35-year-old princess gave an exclusive interview to OK!, who asked her how her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer and skin cancer earlier this year, is doing.
She replied: “My mother is always a source of inspiration, she inspires me. She’s one of those people who can have really hard times in their life and still be one of the happiest people again.
“I think what she’s been through over the past year has inspired a lot of people to want to get tested. She’s done so well and it’s absolutely amazing.’
Beatrice continued: ‘I love learning from her every day and that no matter what you’re going through, just return to joy, return to love and kindness.’
The Duchess of York has had a difficult 12 months since announcing last summer that she had a mastectomy to treat breast cancer
The operation lasted eight hours and she spent the next four days in intensive care at a London hospital
A friend said. The Mail on Sunday: “The operation was very long – almost eight hours – and more complicated than people realise
“Today she wants to say that she is very grateful to those who helped her and that she feels incredibly lucky to be alive
“In particular, the Duchess would like to thank the two incredible surgeons who carried out the operation, Christina Choi and Stuart James, and the whole of the medical team who worked tirelessly to help her.”
A spokesman for Fergie said at the time: “Sarah, The Duchess of York, recently had a routine early mammogram and was diagnosed with a type of breast cancer.
“She was advised to undergo surgery, which was successful.
“The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and has been told by doctors that her prognosis is good. She is currently recovering with her family by her side.
“The Duchess would like to UAE Breaking her enormous gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her over the past few days.
“She is also deeply grateful to the staff who worked on her mammogram, who diagnosed her disease, which was asymptomatic, and believes her experience highlights the importance of regular testing.”
Just a few months later, Fergie received the news: she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, posting on Instagram: “I’m taking time for myself because I’ve been diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. This is my second cancer diagnosis in the past year, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer and having a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
“It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was. Naturally, another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.”