"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 Princess of Wales says

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Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024

Kate Middleton has finished her chemotherapy treatment and is sharing personal details about her journey since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

On Monday, Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales released an emotional video message filmed near her family's home in Norfolk last month. It also features her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.

"As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment," Kate says in the video. "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.

"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.

"Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes," she says.

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Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024

"I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can," she continues.

"Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.

"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.

"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."

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Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024

PEOPLE understands that the Princess of Wales is looking forward to undertaking a handful of public engagements over the coming months, however, as she says in today’s message, her focus is on being cancer-free and her journey to full recovery is long.

She will be returning to a light program of external engagements for the remainder of the year, reflecting the need to focus on making a full recovery.

Kate has started to work from home, on projects including her work on early childhood, and will continue to do so over the coming months. She is expected to attend Remembrance Day in November alongside the royal family and has begun plans for her annual carol concert in December at Westminster Abbey.

In the heartfelt video, Kate Middleton is captured in tender, private family moments. From driving through the tranquil English countryside with William and their children to sharing affectionate gestures with her husband, the video highlights their close-knit family life. In the woods, Kate leans on William’s shoulder as they watch their kids play, finding solace in nature during her treatment. She is seen leaning against a tree and gently pushing Louis on a swing. The family shares joyful moments playing cards with Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. On the beach, Kate and William relax on a blanket with their dog nearby, and in a touching scene, Kate releases a butterfly from her hands.

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Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024

The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from public life throughout the entirety of 2024. After undergoing a planned abdominal surgery in January, Kate announced in a moving video message on March 22 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving chemotherapy. She has only been seen in an official capacity twice this year — on June 15 at Trooping the Colour and on July 14 at Wimbledon, alongside her daughter Princess Charlotte and her sister Pippa Middleton.

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Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales and Prince William appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024

In a statement released in June accompanied by a portrait taken under a tree at Windsor, Kate wrote that while she has "good days," the challenges of chemotherapy also brought about tough days, too. In her March video address, she shared that her work continues to bring her "a deep sense of joy," and as she continued cancer treatment this summer, Kate worked from home at Adelaide Cottage. She has held regular meetings with her private secretary Tom White, assistant private secretary Natalie Burrows and the Prince and Prince of Wales' communications secretary Lee Thompson to discuss plans for the future and stay updated on the latest from her various royal initiatives.

"It's good not to feel under pressure and just take her time and have slow days if she needs to," a source told PEOPLE over the summer.

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Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, Prince William and Princess Charlotte appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024

Prince William, 42, returned to public duty Sept. 5 after a summer spent with Kate, also 42, and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. The three kids returned to school the same week as their father returned to work following a summer spent primarily at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, as well as time at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Kate was photographed driving to church at Crathie Kirk on Aug. 25.

After her Wimbledon appearance in July, royal biographer Robert Jobson, author of the new book Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen, told PEOPLE "Before, she used to live her life by the calendar, and now she is living her life, and the calendar comes in after."

He added, "She will be back, but when you have had an experience like this, it changes your perspective and the order of things."