Strictly Come Dancing ace Amy Dowden's efforts at raising awareness after suffering with stage three breast cancer herself were recognised by none other than the royal family - and she's now told all about her experience with them. Cancer is a cause close to King Charles' heart as he too received gruelling treatment for the disease after being diagnosed in 2024.

After being invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace to honour the health struggles the pair had both been through, Amy took to Instagram with photos of herself with the King and Queen to deliver a personal message. "Thank you, Your Majesties @theroyalfamily. Reflecting on last night, a room full of those affected by cancer, living with cancer, medical professionals, researchers, so many wonderful charities and volunteers who continue to do so much for us all!" she exclaimed. "Thank you. I woke up today feeling blessed, life is so precious and I will always continue to do all I can to help raise awareness for the cancer community."

Teary-eyed Amy, 34, had previously shared a photo of the invitation from the palace, which read: "The Master of the Household is commanded by their Majesties to invite Ms Amy Dowden to a Reception to be given recognition of Community-Based Cancer support at Buckingham Palace by the King on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 at 6pm."

Amy had already been awarded MBE status for her services raising awareness of the incurable inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's, which led to multiple hospital dashes during her time on Strictly.

After enduring a double whammy with her bowel condition and cancer diagnosis, Amy made a triumphant return to the dancefloor for the 2024 season, but heartbreakingly was forced to pull out after being dogged by a foot injury.

It spelt an end to her dreams of winning the show with JLS star JB Gill - but she vowed to make a comeback.

After a mastectomy, a sepsis scare and multiple rounds of gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Amy confirmed that a return to dancing had meant she "finally felt like me again".

"Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again," she exclaimed.

She was flooded with support for achieving her future dreams, especially as fans saw her photos with the King and Queen and gave them glowing praise.

"You're simply the Best. Shine on Amy. You're an inspiration to us all," declared one, while another encouraged: "You have come SO far in the past 2 years. You're such an incredible human being. Keep doing what you're doing, superstar!!"