It's good news but there's a long way to go...

ON his first engagement since the Princess of Wales revealed she had finished chemotherapy, Prince William was greeted by an outpouring of love and warm wishes that showed how much people care.

- LUCY THORNTON and RUSSELL MYERS

During his visit to a school in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, he chatted about Kate's recovery with Pauline Thomas, 74, and told her: "It's good news, but there is still a long way to go." William, 42, received a wonderfully warm welcome, and repeated "thank you" and "very much appreciated" as he was given cards for his wife.

On Monday, Kate, 42, had released a video giving an update on her health, saying: "Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus." The video included intimate footage of Kate with William and kids, George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six.

In Llanelli, Diane Griffiths spoke for the nation when she told William: "It was so good to see Catherine looking well. You have a beautiful family." She said he had replied in Welsh, "Diolch", meaning thank you.

Another well-wisher, Sandra Peters, 79, said: "I told him, Bore da [good morning], you have a beautiful family, I'm so pleased Kate is recovering.

"He said, "Thank you very much. He was lovely, he's so charming." Alan Evans had his granddaughter Genevieve sitting on his shoulders as he met the Prince of Wales.

He said: "I told him, 'We all have our burdens', to which the prince replied, 'Yes, watch your neck!' He's a charming man." According to palace sources, Kate plans to carry out just a "handful" of public engagements this year, including joining her family at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Day.