Inside Catherine, Princess of Wales mindful return to royal duties on her own terms - exclusive.
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has been making a gradual and deliberate return to royal duties following her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and subsequent remission announced in January 2025. Her approach prioritizes her health and well-being, balancing public engagements with recovery. Here’s an overview based on recent developments:
- Recent Engagements: Kate has resumed public duties with notable appearances, including Trooping the Colour on June 14, 2025, alongside her husband, Prince William, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. She also attended the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle on June 16 and visited the V&A East Storehouse in London on June 10. These events mark her return after a half-term break with her family.
- Royal Ascot Absence: Kate was expected to attend Royal Ascot on June 18, 2025, but withdrew at the last minute, a decision that sparked concern but was clarified as part of her strategy to “find the right balance” post-treatment. Kensington Palace emphasized that her absence was not alarming, and she was disappointed to miss the event, a highlight of the royal calendar. Royal aides noted this reflects her ongoing effort to manage her health while resuming duties.
- Health-First Approach: After completing chemotherapy in September 2024, Kate has been candid about the challenges of recovery, describing the past nine months as “incredibly tough” for her family. She focuses on staying cancer-free, acknowledging long-term side effects of treatment. Her decision to scale back engagements, such as missing Royal Ascot, stems from a need to “recalibrate” her work-life balance, as she finds public appearances and scrutiny challenging.
- Strategic Return: Kate is taking a case-by-case approach, “listening to her body” and pacing herself. Her engagements are confirmed based on how she feels, reflecting a pragmatic strategy to avoid overexertion. For instance, attending three high-profile events in a week was deemed too much, leading to her Ascot withdrawal. Royal experts suggest she may further scale back public appearances this year, focusing instead on remote support for causes like early childhood development through her Shaping Us campaign.
- Support System: Kate relies on a close circle of family and friends, including her mother, Carole Middleton, and sister-in-law, Alizee Thevenet, who attended Ascot. Prince William has taken on additional duties to support her recovery, aiming to balance her health with royal responsibilities. Palace aides and royal commentators praise her for prioritizing health while maintaining her commitment to duty, noting her popularity among staff.
- Public Perception and Challenges: Her absence from Ascot caused some confusion among royal staff due to a communication error, with her name initially listed in the carriage procession. This incident, coupled with past scrutiny over a 2024 photo-editing controversy, has heightened public and media attention on her return. However, experts emphasize her focus on health signals a modern approach to royal duties, prioritizing personal well-being over tradition.
Tags: Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Meghan, Lilibet
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