Catherine, Princess of Wales has been in the hearts and minds of people around the world these past few months,

after the royal announced she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatments.

But today, Princess Kate revealed an inspiring update to her progress: she has finished chemotherapy and is now “cancer-free.”

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” the Princess of Wales said in a statement released by Kensington Palace today.

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”

“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”

Catherine writes that after finishing chemotherapy, she will begin to take on more public engagements, but her focus will be on her health and staying cancer-free: “My path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” she wrote.

“William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling,” she concluded. “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”

The inspiring update is a rare bit of encouraging news in what has been a very difficult year for the British royal family, in which both Catherine and King Charles III have been diagnosed with cancer. Charles, who announced his diagnosis in February, returned to public duties in the spring.

But Kate’s health battle generated even more attention and intense media coverage. In January, she announced she would be hospitalized for what was reportedly an abdominal surgery. But her long absence from public life fueled rumors that her health was actually worse than the palace was admitting.

That speculation turned into a media firestorm when palace released an apparently doctored photo of Kate and her children for Mother’s Day. The ensuing “Kate-Gate” frenzy ultimately led to Catherine releasing a video message in March, revealing she was diagnosed with cancer, was undergoing chemotherapy and would extend her leave of absence.

In June, Catherine released another statement, saying she was “not out of the woods yet” and taking things one day at a time, but would begin returning to public duties in the summer.

(Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)