Kate Middleton
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesPrincess Kate Middleton decided to talk about her ongoing battle with cancer in her time.
Kate’s last official public appearance before the hiatus was in December 2023. A month later, Kensington Palace confirmed that Kate he would not be involved in any royal engagements at the earliest after April due to planned abdominal surgery.
“The surgery was a success and she is expected to remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” a statement shared via the palace’s official X account read at the time. “Based on current medical advice, he is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
The palace then stated that Kate was focused on her health.
Several British royals have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer since the beginning of their family’s reign. Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer a week after being admitted to a London clinic for treatment of an enlarged prostate. “During the King’s recent hospital procedure (…)
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her desire to keep her personal medical information private,” the statement continued. “The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to anyone who is concerned about the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. He is looking forward to returning as much as possible, as soon as possible.”
As Kate kept out of the public eye, the public became concerned for her well-being. A source previously said Us Weekly that Kate he was in no rush to share details in connection with her cessation of royal duties.
“She has been resting and enjoying many visits from Prince William and the children,” the insider said, noting that Kate “may reveal more information in due course.”
In March, Kate posted a video that confirmed cancer diagnosis, saying: “In January I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time my condition was thought to be non-cancerous. However, tests after the operation showed that the cancer was present.”
The news of Kate’s diagnosis came a month later King Charles III announced that he is fighting cancer.
Keep scrolling for a timeline of Kate’s public battle with cancer:
december 2023
Princess Kate worked her way through the ranks of the royal family, quickly transforming from a commoner to the future Queen of England. The Princess of Wales met her future husband, Prince William, at college, and the couple married in 2011 after nearly a decade together. They continued to welcome their son (…)
January 2024
Kensington Palace announced that Kate had undergone “planned abdominal surgery” and was recovering. Later that month, Kate returned home with William next to her.
“She is progressing well. The Prince and Princess would like to say a huge thank you to the entire team at the London Clinic, especially the dedicated medical staff, for the care they provided,” the palace said in a statement at the time. “The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
William briefly took a break from his public duties to help Kate recover before she resumes her royal engagements for the rest of the month.
February 2024
In response to rumors of Kate’s prolonged public disappearance, her representative clarified she was “fine” after the operation.
“Kensington Palace made clear the timeline for the princess’s recovery in January and we would only be providing significant updates,” Kate’s spokesman said Our in the statement. “That guideline stands.”
According to the source, Kate was diagnosed that same month. The day she found out coincided requiem mass for William’s godfather Greek King Constantinewhich he did not attend in the end.
March 2024
Kate has been seen several times after people questioned her absence, with countless viral memes and conspiracy theories popping up online. For the first time, Kate was photographed wearing sunglasses while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle with her mother, Carole Middleton.
Kate was also seen in a car leaving Windsor Castle with William, but her face was turned away from the camera. William appeared at the annual Commonwealth Day celebrations, which Kate did not attend.
That same month, Kate and William were spotted at Windsor Farm Shop. They appeared in good spirits as they stopped at the store, which is near their Windsor residence.
The world watched in awe at the wedding of Prince William and Princess Kate at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011, and years later, ordinary people are still impressed by the couple. Although they only got married in 2011, Kate and William first met 10 years ago while studying history at Scotland’s University of St (…)
March 2024
In her statement about the diagnosis, Kate called the news a “huge shock”. Kate also explained that she and William the goal is “to manage this privately” their families.
“As you can imagine, this took time. I needed time to recover from a major surgery to start treatment,” she continued. “But most importantly, we needed time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that was suitable for them and to reassure them that I would be fine.”
Another insider said Our that Kate and William “wanted to wait to break the news to the world until their children were out of school for the Easter holidays so they would have time to process the news before the whole world started talking about it.”
June 2024
“I have been overwhelmed by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the past few months,” the Princess of Wales said on June 14, accompanying a lavish, heartwarming video featuring Middleton with husband Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince George. .“It really made a world of difference to William and I and helped us both through some of the toughest times. I am doing well, but as anyone going through chemo knows, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days, you feel weak, tired and you have to let your body rest. But on good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling good.”
She explained that she is “not out of the woods yet” and that she is “learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty.”
She said she had been working from home while undergoing treatment and was excited to attend Trooping the Colour, her first public event since announcing her diagnosis. She was all smiles since she attended the event with his family.
July 2024
Kate made her second appearance after announcing at Wimbledon that she was battling cancer. She and daughter Charlotte performed in the men’s singles final alongside Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton. The princess received a standing ovation as she took her place in the royal box.
September 2024
This was announced by the Princess of Wales she finished chemotherapy in the September statement.
“Doing everything I can to stay cancer free is my focus now,” she said. “Even though I’m done with chemotherapy, my road to healing and full recovery is long and I have to keep taking each day as it comes.”
She continued: “However, I’m looking forward to getting back to work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation for life.”
december 2024
Kate hosted her annual Concert of songs “Together on Christmas”. December 6, where she talked about her difficult year.
“I didn’t know this year was going to be the year I just had,” she told singer Paloma Faith. “Unplanned. But I think a lot of people have had such a challenging time this year.”
William, as well as the royal couple’s children George, Charlotte and Louis, also attended the service.
Later that month, Kate stepped out with her family for Christmas. She was talking to the royal watchers and expressed her gratitude to those who shared their own cancer stories and journeys during her public fight for health.
“The amount of people who have written this year is incredible and I think cancer really resonates with a lot of families,” she told fans, according to Daily Mail. “People like you do all the hard work out there. I am extremely grateful.”
January 2024
Kate made her first public appearance in 2025 on January 14 during a hospital visit where she was being treated. The Princess of Wales also updated royal watchers about her health battle, announcing in a social media post that it was official declared in remission.