Sarah Ferguson has praised the Princess of Wales for making her surprise public appearance in Southport today – and also opened up about her own cancer journey.
The Duchess of York, 64, said Kate did a ‘beautiful job’ on her visit to Merseyside alongside Prince William.
The duo spoke to bereaved families of victims who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.
It was their first joint official outing since the Princess’s course of chemotherapy cancer treatment ended in the summer.
Speaking to Channel 5‘s Dan Walker, Sarah, who is often affectionately known as Fergie, said: ‘I think the princess has done a beautiful job of really getting out there.
The Duchess of York , 64, said Kate did a ‘beautiful job’ on her visit to Merseyside alongside Prince William
‘Today [was] such a brave, courageous move, and it’s just completely and utterly wonderful to see that.
‘It’ll inspire and help those poor families and that’s what we should be looking at [doing], encourage and encourage and encourage.’
The future King and Queen privately met the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were all killed during the fatal attack.
They also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was seriously injured as she shielded youngsters as they were attacked by a knifeman.
Afterwards, the couple spoke to emergency responders who attended and helped on the day, with the Princess hailing them ‘true heroes’, while William called them ‘true professionals’.
Dan also asked the Duchess about her own cancer journey, after she recently underwent treatments for breast and skin cancer.
Fergie was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in January, just six months after treatment for breast cancer.
The Duchess of York , 64, said Kate did a ‘beautiful job’ on her visit to Merseyside alongside Prince William
Later the royal couple, pictured, had a sit down meeting with other members of the emergency services
The Prince and Princess of Wales meet a critical care paramedic from the Air Ambulance during a visit to Southport Community Centre
Three girls were killed at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class, including Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven (pictured)
Bebe King, six, was also killed in the horror attack in Southport in July. Pictured in an undated family photo
Alice Aguiar, nine, died in the early hours of the morning after being rushed to hospital after being stabbed while at the dance party
Speaking to Channel 5 ‘s Dan Walker, Sarah, who is often affectionately known as Fergie, praised Kate and spoke about her own journey with cancer
He said: ‘People hear that word, ‘cancer’ and there are some people who feel it is a death sentence. Did you have that?’
Fergie, who is the former wife of Prince Andrew, said: ‘I did the drive to the next hospital and then it was Friday afternoon of New Year’s weekend after the mastectomy, six months later, the dermatologist said “You need to be at the Royal Marsden at 8am on Tuesday morning.”
‘And you have three days for your mind to go into the fact that you don’t think you’re going to make it because my father died of melanoma.
‘All that’s going through your mind, so anyone watching, I know and understand.
‘Just please, face your fears and go and get checked and screened, the imagery is so important.’
Fergie’s daughter Princess Beatrice, who is expecting her second child, announced she was ‘all clear’ in May.
This comes as Fergie praised Kate Middleton‘s cancer recovery video as ‘just incredible’ as she opened up about welcoming another grandchild.
She revealed in an interview with The Sun earlier this week that she believed her cancer diagnosis was a ‘death sentence’ and that a routine mammogram had ‘saved her life’.
Speaking on Thursday’s episode of This Morning, Fergie praised the Princess of Wales’s own cancer journey – and an intimate recovery video to announce the end of her chemotherapy – as ‘just incredible’.
Sarah praised Kate Middleton ‘s cancer recovery video as ‘just incredible’ as she opened up about welcoming another grandchild
In a conversation with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, the Duchess said: ‘The video that the Princess did was just incredible. I mean, I was so moved. It was beautiful.
When asked how Kate is doing now, Fergie added: ‘She’s showing the world what it really is to look after yourself and self love in order to help others, and I think that’s extraordinary what she did.
‘I loved when the King went to Cancer Research UK and actually sat on the sofa, and it’s coming from a place of empathy because he does understand.
She continued: ‘That was the first time yesterday when I was sitting there with someone, it’s not just, “I understand” and patronising. It was, “I know” and so I think, to be able to talk about it is real and I think we have to.’
Talking about her own mammogram after which she received her diagnosis, Fergie said it was ‘the drive that saved my life’.
She added: ‘And that’s what I wanted to say. If anyone’s watching this, sitting at the end of the bed going ‘no I can’t possibly, it might be bad news.’
‘No, it’s not bad news. Go anyway because there is a solution even if it is really frightening because there will be solutions.’
Elsewhere in the interview, the mother of two opened up about her excitement towards welcoming another grandchild to the family, after her daughter Princess Beatrice announced she was expecting her second child.
A gushing Fergie commented: ‘How do you describe being a grandmother? It is one of the most precious, joyful, exciting moments because you’re so proud of your own children, and they’ve done such a good job.
The Duchess of York , 64, has herself battled cancer this year – and revealed earlier this week she thought it was a ‘death sentence’
Speaking to People magazine, she reflected on a touching video by the Princess of Wales, in which she revealed that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment
‘But then these are little naughties again and you can play again! Since I am clearly only a three year old, I am actually loving making Barbie houses again. And I forgot!’
Fergie joked that she is slightly more disappointed when she has to ‘play trains’.
She added: ‘It really is the most extraordinary thing to be a grandmother.’
The Duchess of York said previously that – with the help of her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie – she has been able to remain positive and the future looks bright.
She continued: ‘It has been a difficult period, and I’m not out of the woods. I underwent a single mastectomy and a breast reconstruction operation, while my malignant melanoma and surrounding area was removed and other moles checked for cancer.
‘With the love and support of my family, especially my girls Beatrice and Eugenie, I have stayed positive and been informed that my outlook is good.
She added: ‘I’ve been told by my physicians that I shouldn’t use the phrase ‘cancer free’, but treatment has been successful and tests show there has been no spread or recurrence. I’m reconciled to the fact that I will have to have checks for the rest of my life.’
Now Fergie has said that she is dedicated to helping others – as she is determined to help raise awareness as to how important it is to check for breast cancer.
The Duchess of York says that – with the help of her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie – she has been able to remain positive and the future looks bright. Pictured: Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie attend The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala
She has joined charity Prevent Breast Cancer as a patron, after being introduced by Coronation Street’s Sally Dynevor, a fellow breast cancer survivor with whom she co-hosted Loose Women.
And she is now campaigning to raise money to build a new National Breast Imaging Academy in Manchester, training up 50 new specialists a year.
It comes as the industry facing down a staff shortage crisis, with a vast number of radiographers and radiologists set to retire in the coming years.
Fergie’s campaign comes just days after she spoke of her admiration for King Charles, who is currently being treated for cancer, and Kate Middleton.
Speaking to People magazine, she reflected on a touching video by the Princess of Wales, in which she revealed that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.
She said: ‘I think they are an example to all families going through their own journeys of health.
‘I think both the King and the Princess of Wales have spoken openly about their journey, and I love that the Princess says, ‘I’m always there for you’. I love that video. It was a beautiful video with beautiful words.’
Fergie also spoke about a visit the King made to the Macmillan Cancer Centre at the University College Hospital in London in April – his first public engagement following the news of his cancer diagnosis.
Sarah took to Instagram last week to congratulate her daughter Princess Beatrice after the royal’s pregnancy announcement. The first photo in her post showed herself and Beatrice, who was wearing a floral headband, crouching down with the princess’s daughter, who was dressed in a white flower-girl style dress
Celebrating the news, which was shared by Buckingham Palace last week, the Duchess of York, or Fergie, as she is affectionately known, posted several photos of Beatrice and granddaughter Sienna to her social media account
She said: ‘That was very brave too, very courageous, and [he] spoke openly, which was very important to help people and give hope.’
The Duchess of York further spoke of her delight last week after her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, 36, announced that she was pregnant with her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40.
Soon after Beatrice made the announcement on October 1, Sarah took to Instagram to share her congratulations.
The late Queen’s granddaughter and property developer Edoardo already share daughter Sienna, three, and will welcome their next baby early in 2025.
The couple are also parents to Edoardo’s son and Beatrice’s stepson, eight-year-old Wolfie.
Celebrating the news, which was shared by Buckingham Palace, Sarah posted several photos of Beatrice and granddaughter Sienna to her social media account.
The first photo showed her and Beatrice, who was wearing a floral headband, crouching down with the princess’s daughter, who was dressed in a white flower-girl style dress.
‘A very proud GiGi/Mum today. Such an incredible blessing and an embrace to my heart,’ the duchess captioned her post.
‘A very proud GiGi/Mum today. Such an incredible blessing and an embrace to my heart,’ the duchess captioned her post (pictured, Sarah with her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie)
She also referenced all her grandchildren and her step-grandchild in her sweet message: ‘Wolfie, August, Ernie and Sienna will be over the moon to have the fifth member of the five aside!’
Beatrice is the eldest daughter of the Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah, and the new baby will be the Yorks’ fourth grandchild, with Beatrice’s stepson Wolfie making five.
In a personal address to her daughter amid sweet pictures of Beatrice, Sienna and Sarah’s youngest daughter Princess Eugenie, the Duchess wrote: ‘Darling Beatrice. Words can’t quite express the joy and excitement I feel as you and Edo prepare to welcome another precious addition to your beautiful family.
‘Becoming a granny again fills my heart with so much happiness and gratitude. Watching you grow as a mother has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and now to see your family blossom further is an absolute blessing.’
Fergie added: ‘Our family is growing, and so too is the love that surrounds us. I cannot wait to meet this little one and to see in all the wonderful memories we will make together. All my love.’
