Sarah Ferguson Praises Kate Middleton and King Charles for Inspiring ‘Hope’ Through Their Health Journeys (Exclusive)

Sarah Ferguson has candidly shared her own health issues and is now praising King Charles and Kate Middleton for speaking out about theirs.

In an interview with PEOPLE during the launch of the new Youth Impact Council at New York Climate Week, the Duchess of York, popularly known as Fergie, voiced her admiration for how the King and Princess Kate have publicly addressed their cancer journeys. In February, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles, 75, had been diagnosed with cancer and had begun treatment. Princess Kate, 42, revealed in March that she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, and on Sept. 9, she announced in an emotional video that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment.

“I think they are an example to all families going through their own journeys of health,” the Duchess of York tells PEOPLE. “I think both the King and the Princess of Wales have spoken openly about their journey, and I love that the Princess says, ‘I’m always there for you.’ I love that video. It was a beautiful video with beautiful words.”

“The King, you know, became the patron of the Cancer Research UK, which is such a big organization, and he actually went out to meet the patients,” Fergie adds, referring to the King’s visit to the Macmillan Cancer Centre at the University College Hospital London on April 30. The visit marked the King’s return to public-facing duties after a brief postponement following the news from the palace about his health and also served as the occasion to announce his patronage of Cancer Research UK.

“That was very brave too, very courageous, and [he] spoke openly, which was very important to help people and give hope,” the Duchess, 64, tells PEOPLE.

The Duchess of York faced two cancer diagnoses between 2023 and 2024. In June 2023, a spokesperson for Fergie announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and successfully underwent a single mastectomy. Throughout her recovery, she kept her fans and supporters informed on social media, using her platform to advocate for the importance of early cancer detection through screenings.

In January, she shared that she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, following post-operative analysis of a mole removed during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy. A source told PEOPLE in March that the Duchess of York was “very relieved” to learn that her skin cancer had not spread. The author and advocate told friends that she had further surgery around the edges of the site of the mole and lymph nodes. 

Speaking with PEOPLE in New York City on Sept. 25, Fergie shared how she is feeling today.

“I think that you never really get rid of the worry about health. For every sort of melanoma, you never really know where it is. You look at everything and you’re certainly more aware,” the Duchess says. “It’s been an extraordinary journey to have gone through a mastectomy, and then you have to keep having checks, and then you think you’re going to get it again. It’s a lot of very fragile mind work.”

She continues, “I think that also gives me empathy to understand the fragility of the mind. A lot of young people have fragile, vulnerable times, with cyberbullying and chronic cruelty from other people. I think that’s something I address, I am adamant about cruelty through social media. My health is really good now, but you have to be a bit more cognitive and not push yourself too much, which I do.”

During New York Climate Week, the Duchess of York announced the launch of the Youth Impact Council and her involvement as Founding Ambassador. The new nonprofit was founded to amplify the voices of youth activists making an impact in climate action, social justice and innovation, and bridge the intergenerational gap by linking them directly with established leaders to cut through the tape and accelerate change.

“There are young people at work who aren’t being listened to enough by people who can make change for them. And so I think we need to amplify their voices and execute their wishes,” the Duchess tells PEOPLE about her new role with YIC. “They have the solutions — if only grown-ups would ask them, ask Gen Z, for the solutions they have in these youth leadership positions.”‘

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A passionate advocate for young people throughout three decades of philanthropic work, Fergie says that the YIC means so much.

“We collectively thought this was an extraordinary idea. I really want to say that it’s almost my legacy, and I love that. It’s a very big moment to start Youth Impact Council and it’s in my heart and it’s authentic to what I believe,” she tells PEOPLE. “I really love being with young people because they feed me, they feed my soul. They are fun, and it keeps you young!”