India Hicks, goddaughter of King Charles III and a prominent figure in high society, has recently revealed her personal struggle with a serious illness. The news comes amid recent health concerns for the monarch himself and the Princess of Wales. Hicks candidly shared that she was diagnosed with skin cancer on the eve of Thanksgiving, forcing her to endure several challenging weeks.
An unexpected blow
In her blog, the 58-year-old designer and writer shared that the results of her recent skin operation were “not very good.” She described her state as a moment when “the world blurs a bit around the edges.” This wasn’t a scene from a dramatic film, but rather a quiet, chilling reality faced by thousands of people. Doctors discovered a rapidly growing cancerous tumor on her lower leg, requiring immediate and decisive action.
India Hicks, who served as a bridesmaid at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana at age 13, admitted her reaction was a mix of “strange calm and a little personal terror.” She tried to carry on with daily life, making tea and replying to emails, but an inner voice kept whispering, “What if it’s worse than we think?” This internal dialogue—filled with fear and uncertainty—is familiar to anyone who has ever waited for medical test results.
Surgery in Miami
Wasting no time, Hicks found a surgeon in Miami specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery. This complex procedure involves removing affected tissue in ultra-thin layers, with each layer immediately examined under a microscope. The surgery continues until doctors are certain that no cancer cells remain at the edges of the wound. This approach helps preserve as much healthy tissue as possible and offers a high chance of complete recovery.
According to India, the procedure itself was “relatively uncomfortable.” However, the hardest part was the waiting. “You sit there with an open wound on your leg while your tissue is taken to the lab. And that’s when the toughest part begins: the waiting,” she shared. In those moments, when you seem fine, scrolling through your phone and chatting with those around you, your entire future depends on what’s happening in the next room.
A happy ending
Fortunately, India Hicks’ story ended well. After agonizing hours of waiting, doctors brought her good news: this time, she was lucky and the cancer had been completely removed. The news was a huge relief for her and her family, allowing them to joyfully celebrate Thanksgiving together.
“I love these gatherings, friends around the table, loud laughter, happy chaos,” she wrote about the holiday. The positive outcome of her surgery allowed her to fully enjoy time with her husband David Flint Wood and their five children.
The Windsors’ worries
India Hicks’ diagnosis is the latest in a series of cancer cases that have affected the British royal family and their close circle. In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer. While the specific type of cancer was not disclosed, it was clarified that it was not prostate cancer.
Following this, in March, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, revealed she was also undergoing cancer treatment. Her courageous statement sparked a wave of support around the world. Fortunately, in January 2025, it was reported that the princess’s illness was in remission, although she continues to deal with the side effects of treatment. These events have prompted the public to pay even closer attention to the health of the royal family members.
Incidentally, India Hicks is a remarkable figure, closely connected to the British monarchy. Her mother, Lady Pamela Hicks, is a cousin of the late Prince Philip and descends from the Mountbatten family. The 96-year-old Lady Pamela is also the oldest living descendant of Queen Victoria and served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II. India herself has built a successful career as a model, interior designer, and author. In 2021, she married her longtime partner, David Flint Wood, with whom she is raising five children: Felix, Wesley, Amory, Conrad, and Domino. The family splits their time between the picturesque Cotswolds in England and Harbour Island in the Bahamas.
