Princess Beatrice made a surprise appearance on TV and gave a rare update on her mum following her cancer diagnosis.
The 35-year-old gave her first ever live TV interview on This Morning today, joining presenters Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle via videolink from the top of the Empire State Building in New York. The royal is in America supporting the Outward Bound Trust, which had been very close to the heart of her late grandfather Prince Philip.
While there, Beatrice is lending her support to a group of youngsters who are planning to abseil down the huge New York City skyscraper. However, during the interview, Josie and Craig took the opportunity to ask about Beatrice's mum Fergie, who underwent surgery for breast cancer last year before being diagnosed with malignant melonoma, a form of skin cancer.
And Beatrice told them: "She's doing really well, thank you Josie. She had a bumpy health scare last year but she's all clear now. But I think at 64, she's thriving, she's been through so much, but now she's coming into her own. We are just reminded when any parent or individual has a health scenario, you really need to get the checks that you need to get as early as you possibly can. And both my sister and I are so proud of her for taking those steps to get those checks.
The hosts then alluded to the other Royal Family health scares, with King Charles and the Princess of Wales also receiving cancer diagnoses this year and now undergoing treatment saying it had been tough going. And Beatrice added: "I know. There's nothing more important than family."
Meanwhile, Beatrice was also asked about her mum Fergie's stint as a guest presenter on This Morning last year. She joined Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary for an episode of the show in November and left viewers flabbergasted when she stepped in to offer relationship advice to callers, advising on wearing "saucy underwear" to spice things up in the bedroom.
Asked if she watched her mum, Beatrice laughed and said she had before admitting: "I thought it was one of the most hilarious segments I've seen for a while. I watched it half from behind the sofa and have like 'come on mum, you can do it!"
Josie was then keen to send a message to Fergie saying: "We're all big fans of your mum here on This Morning, will you send your mum our love?" And Beatrice was happy to oblige: "of course I will send my mum your best. When I'm back in the UK, maybe we can do something together."
Fergie 64, was told by doctors in March the good news that it appeared her malignant melanoma skin cancer had not spread. It was her second bout of cancer after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery last year.
In March, she expressed her admiration for Princess Kate, saying she will be "surrounded by the love of her family and everyone is praying for the best outcome", following her diagnosis. Sarah – the Duke of York's ex-wife – posted on social media: "All my thoughts and prayers are with the Princess of Wales as she starts her treatment. I know she will be surrounded by the love of her family and everyone is praying for the best outcome.
"As someone who has faced their own battles with cancer in recent months, I am full of admiration for the way she has spoken publicly about her diagnosis and know it will do a tremendous amount of good to raise awareness. I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal."