Sarah Ferguson Says 'Family Unity is Key' amid King Charles and Kate Middleton Cancer Treatments (Exclusive)

The Duchess of York tells PEOPLE why the "key to life" is being there for one another

Sarah Ferguson says that family comes first as King Charles and Kate Middleton receive cancer treatment.

Speaking to PEOPLE on the red carpet at the 2024 amfAR Gala, held each year during the Cannes Film Festival, the Duchess of York, 64, opened up about family togetherness when asked if she's been able to offer support to the King, 75, and Princess of Wales, 42, amid their cancer diagnoses.

"I think family unity is key… I think the key to life is that we all support each other," says the Duchess of York.

"And also forgiveness is a great thing. I think forgiveness of yourself, and forgiveness of others," she adds.

King Charles recently resumed forward-facing duties after Buckingham Palace announced that he was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment in February, while Princess Kate remains outside of the spotlight after sharing the news of her own cancer diagnosis in March.

Related: Princess Eugenie Shares Supportive Words for Royal Family After Rare Cousin Outing with Prince William

Fergie (as she is affectionately known) seemed to be in good spirits at the glamorous event at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France, and told PEOPLE she was feeling well after navigating two cancer diagnoses in the last year.

"This evening I am doing very well. I think that we've managed to get cancer in the right place rather than cancer ruling me. I've put cancer in the corner," she tells PEOPLE. "I think you always have to be aware. I think it's great to get checked for breast cancer [and] melanoma. I think you just have to be very candid about it."

"I think a lot of people get very frightened to talk about these things," the Duchess of York continues. "I'm very happy with my mastectomy and my breasts and just to talk about it."

Related: Princess Beatrice Shares Upbeat Update on Mom Sarah Ferguson's Health Following Cancer Diagnoses

Prince Andrew's ex-wife has been a vocal advocate around the importance of early detection through screenings since announcing that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023. Fergie has continued to raise awareness since sharing in January 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.

In March, a source told PEOPLE that the Duchess of York was "very relieved" to learn that her skin cancer had not spread. Earlier in May, her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, described her mother as being "all clear" following the scares.

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The amFAR Gala fundraises for AIDS research, and Fergie said it meant much to shine a light on the cause at the gala's 30th anniversary.

"Well, I think the most important thing is that you can say 30 years, but what an enormous breakthrough that we've been through. What enormous hope," the Duchess of York tells PEOPLE.

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