Princess Beatrice opens up on Sarah Ferguson after mum's cancer battle

Princess Beatrice has opened up about Sarah Ferguson after her mother’s cancer battle, saying she is “always inspiring” her.

The 35-year-old princess was asked exclusively by OK! how her mum was – who was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier this year after facing breast cancer last summer.

She replied: “My mum is always inspiring and inspiring me. She’s one of the people that whenever life throws something really hard at you, she turns back to being one of the most joyful individuals.

“I think what she’s been through in the last year, it really made a lot of people get checked. She’s really kind of come through the other side and it’s just so wonderful.”

Beatrice continued: “I love learning from her every single day – whatever you go through, turn back to joy, turn back to love and kindness.”

“Today, the message she wants to get out is that she is very grateful to those who saved her and she feels very lucky to be alive.

“Specifically, the Duchess wants to thank the two incredible surgeons Christina Choy and Stuart James who carried out the operation and all the medical team who worked tirelessly to help her.”

A spokesperson for Fergie said at the time: “Sarah, Duchess of York, was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening.

“She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully.

“The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family.

“The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.

“She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening.”

Then just months later Fergie received the news she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, as she posted on Instagram: “I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

“It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was. Naturally, another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.”