Jessie J has opened up on why she and the Princess of Wales broke protocol during their meeting at the 2025 Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday (19 November).
The Princess of Wales had previously taken some time away from her duties to focus on her health.
Kate previously shared her cancer diagnosis back in March last year. She revealed to the public that following abdominal surgery in January, she was diagnosed and had since begun preventative chemotherapy treatments.
Last year, Kate announced that she had completed all chemotherapy treatments and hoped she would slowly resume her royal duties.
She later confirmed in January that she was in remission.
From that point on, the Princess of Wales has made more frequent appearances, including at the Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday with singer Jessie J, who has been navigating her own cancer journey.
The singer revealed her diagnosis to her Instagram followers, saying: "Before 'No Secrets' came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. I’m highlighting the word early. Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word early.
"I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support, and also their own stories," she continued. "I’m an open book. It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse, that’s the bit that kills me."
When the two met at the Royal Variety Performance, they shared a heartfelt, emotional hug, something typically not permitted for royals.
Typically, there's an expectation of 'no touching' when it comes to royals and the general public.
Some might remember the tumult caused by professional basketball player Lebron James back in 2014, when he put his arm around Kate.
Etiquette expert William Hanson told the Daily Mail at the time: "Mr James should not have put his arm around her. Americans are much more tactile than we Brits, and this is another example of an American being too touchy-feely with British royalty. You’d have thought they’d have learned by now," per Tyla.
Jessie J told The Independent that she and Kate shared that embrace to show support for one another due to their shared cancer stories.
"Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug," Jessie said, adding: "We acknowledged that it’s something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye."
As reported by the Daily Mail, Jessie J told the Princess of Wales: "I just had breast cancer. I just want to give you a hug. Cancer really puts life into perspective.
"You have to find your new normal and that takes time... and it's a rollercoaster, it's not smooth, like you expect it to be," she said. "But the reality is you go through hard times."
