Kensington Palace was keen to stress this week that Kate Middleton isn’t returning to work anytime soon, even though she was described as the “driving force” behind a major report on early childhood development that was released Tuesday and that called on businesses to introduce more family-friendly ways of working.
But Kensington Palace didn’t say much else about the Princess of Wales’ health as she undergoes treatment for cancer. The palace didn’t offer an estimated timeline for when Catherine might return to royal duties, leaving her many admirers wondering about her recovery and when they might see her again in public, according to Daily Mail royal columnist Richard Eden.
It turns out that it could be months until she is seen again in public, Eden reported Thursday, citing friends of the princess.
“Fiends I spoke to in the past few days suggest we might not see Catherine again until the autumn – and only then if she has recovered fully,” Eden said.
Kate has not undertaken any royal engagements since Christmas Day 2023. In January, she had what was described as a “planned” major abdominal surgery, which sparked widespread speculation about her health when no further explanation was given for the next two months.
In March, the princess released a moving and forthright video in which she revealed she had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer and was undergoing what she described as “preventative chemotherapy.”
In the video message, Kate pleaded for “some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.” She also said: “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.”
Eden reported that Kate’s recovery continues to take priority in her household, to the extent that other aspects of the royal work she shares with husband Prince William have been put on hold.
For example, Kate and William have suspended a search for a new chief executive officer, or CEO, to run their household of about 60 staff, Eden reported. “With everything going on, the royal household’s focus is on the princess’s recovery, so no appointment has been made,” a palace spokesperson said.
Even with recovery being her priority, Kate still managed to participate, behind-the-scenes, in the release this week of the report by the Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood and its related Business Taskforce. Vanity Fair reported that she was briefed on the report and kept abreast of progress by the task force, which she spearheads. The task force aims to bring lasting societal change by giving children a strong start in life, and its report called on businesses to support employees with families by providing flexible hours or childcare assistance.
Meanwhile, other royal family members have stepped in to fill in for Kate at some events. This week, William’s cousins, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike Tindall, helped the future king host a garden party at Buckingham Palace for members of his and Kate’s patronages and charitable projects, Us Weekly reported. The party took place even though it was raining.
“Come rain or shine, I was delighted to support my family yesterday to meet some special individuals at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party who have gone above and beyond to support their local communities and the country,” Eugenie wrote on Instagram Wednesday, alongside photos of her family mingling with guests at the party.