Sarah Ferguson, accompanied by her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, made a heartfelt visit to the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at University College Hospital in London on Wednesday.

The royal trio spent time with young cancer patients and the dedicated medical teams who support them.

Among those they met were 21-year-old Freddie Debenham, who has undergone cancer treatment three times, and 18-year-old Lennon Pearson, who is currently starting his fourth cycle of chemotherapy.

Reflecting on the visit, Lennon shared: “I’d been feeling unwell for months before a blood test ordered by my GP led to a hospital admission. You don’t meet royalty every day, and it’s great that they came — it helps raise awareness. There’s a lot of negativity around cancer, so staying as positive as possible really matters.”

For Sarah Ferguson, who has herself faced cancer twice, the visit was deeply personal. “This is the first opportunity I’ve had to visit a unit since my own cancer diagnoses, and meeting young people going through this is always incredibly moving,” she said. “It’s vital to amplify the voices of those with cancer who are often overlooked — those whose experiences might not always be heard. The young people here and their families are facing immense stress, but it’s reassuring to know this unit, and its exceptional team, offer care, comfort, and hope.”

The visit was also poignant for her daughters. Princess Beatrice recalled, “Cancer doesn’t discriminate by age and affects so many families. I still remember when my mother brought me to this very hospital on my 18th birthday to learn about the Teenage Cancer Trust — it left a lasting impression on me. Being here again today, meeting young people and families in the midst of such difficult times, is an honour. Their strength is truly inspiring.”

Princess Eugenie echoed her sister’s sentiments, adding, “The nurses and youth support workers here are incredible — they go above and beyond to ensure patients have the best possible treatment experience. They are real heroes. No one wants to be in hospital, but for young people with cancer, units like this — filled with light, warmth, and compassion — are the best place they could be.”

Their visit follows Sarah Ferguson’s recent comment piece in The Times, where she urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to improve early cancer diagnosis, enhance access to clinical trials, and bolster mental health support for patients.