Kensington Palace recently provided another update on Kate Middleton’s health as she continues to undergo her cancer treatment—and from the sounds of it, the Princess of Wales still has some ways to go before we can expect to see her return to work.
“The princess is not expected to return to work until it’s cleared by her medical team,” a spokesperson said on May 21, 2024. “Early childhood will continue to be central to her public work.”
Although Kate is receiving treatment for cancer, she’s still keeping up to speed about her work on early childhood development. According to the Kensington Palace spokesperson, she is “excited” about the new developments with the business task force she launched last year. “The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business task force. She has been kept up to date since the inception of the task force and she has read the report and been briefed on it,” the spokesperson explained.
However, this doesn’t mean Kate is returning to work just yet. A senior royal aide recently told the Daily Mail, “This is a clear commitment she has made that throughout her life of public service that this will be a focus. That will continue when she returns to work. But we have been really clear that she needs the space and the privacy to recover right now. She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.”
As such, the timeline for Kate’s return to royal duties is still uncertain, and Kensington Palace will not provide further updates on her treatment. When she announced her cancer diagnosis with the public on March 22, 2024, the Princess of Wales referenced her commitment to her royal duties, saying, “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”
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The Princess of Wales’ cancer announcement came after she had a planned abdominal surgery in January 2024. Although the surgery itself went well, follow-up tests revealed she had cancer. Her doctors recommended she start preventative chemotherapy, and in her announcement, Kate mentioned she was in the early stages of this treatment.
In the weeks leading up to her announcement, there was a lot of speculation about her health. However, Kate delayed sharing the news with the public so that she and Prince William could talk to their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—about her condition in a way they could understand. “It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK,” she said in her announcement. “As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.”
Kate’s news came shortly after Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles, her father-in-law, was also being treated for cancer following a routine prostate procedure. On February 5, 2024, the palace stated, “During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.” King Charles has since returned to work, while Kate continues to focus on her recovery in private.
