Timeline of Kate Middleton’s ‘road to recovery’: From emotional cancer announcement in unprecedented video address to today’s statement announcing return to ‘light duties’
Princess Kate announced today that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment and will return to ‘light duties’ at the end of March, following her emotional cancer announcement in late March.
However, her road to recovery has been long and confusing, especially for royal fans who have followed her journey.
MailOnline chronicles Kate’s recovery journey, from announcing her emotional cancer in that unique video speech to today’s statement.
Princess Kate announced today that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment and will resume ‘light duties’ at the end of March, following her emotional cancer announcement.
January
The world began to worry in mid-January when the Princess of Wales had not been seen since attending the Royal Family’s Christmas Day church service at Sandringham with her children.
Kate was admitted to the London Clinic on January 16 for a planned abdominal operation. Kensington Palace did not announce the news until the following day. Royal officials said she was expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery.
On the same day, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles would be treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate. A few days later, Prince Andrew’s former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, announced that she had been diagnosed with skin cancer, six months after being treated for breast cancer.
Kate, Charlotte, George, William and Louis at the 2023 Sandringham Christmas Service
On January 29, Princess Kate and King Charles are both discharged from the London Clinic. The king was seen waving to well-wishers as he left with Camilla, but Kate was nowhere to be seen, despite Kensington Palace saying she had returned to Windsor.
A week later, Buckingham Palace announced to the world that King Charles had cancer, but there was still no sign of Kate or any updates.
February
Concerns for Kate were further heightened when Prince William withdrew from a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece in Windsor in late February over a “personal matter”.
March
On March 4, Kate was photographed in the passenger seat of a car in Windsor wearing sunglasses while her mother, Carole Middleton, was driving.
Six days later, Kensington Palace released a photo of Kate and her children in honor of Mother’s Day. However, irregularities were discovered in the Mother’s Day photo. The princess subsequently admitted that she had “edited” the photo and apologized for the “confusion” it caused.
The next day she was photographed in a car leaving Windsor with William, but her face was turned away from the camera.
On March 18, TMZ and The Sun published a video of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop after a March 16 visit.
March 10: Kensington Palace releases a photo of Kate and her children for Mother’s Day, but inconsistencies are discovered in the Mother’s Day photo. The princess admits she “edited” the image and apologizes for the “confusion” it caused.
March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car
Kensington Palace announced today that the Princess of Wales has undergone abdominal surgery
The princess announced her cancer diagnosis in a video message that took over news channels around the world
It was not until March 22 that the princess announced in a video message that she had cancer. This message was in the news worldwide.
Kensington Palace said Kate began “preventative chemotherapy” in late February, but did not confirm the exact date. It is also understood that post-operative tests showed cancer was present, although again there is no exact date on this.
June
The princess’s first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis was announced did not take place until June 15, when she joined the royal family to celebrate the king’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour.
Kate beamed and waved as she and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, were cheered by crowds on The Mall after leaving Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
The Princess of Wales leaves Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour in London
July
A month later, on July 13, she appeared again at Wimbledon in the Royal Box, much to the delight of fans. Along with daughter Princess Charlotte, nine, and her sister Pippa Middleton, the future queen was greeted with applause and made her second public appearance of the year.
The Princess of Wales was greeted with a standing ovation when she entered the Royal Box at Wimbledon in July
August
The Princess of Wales was last seen on 25 August, when she attended Sunday service at Crathie Kirk with William, King Charles and Queen Camillia and other members of the Royal Family.
The Princess of Wales made her first appearance at Crathie Kirk since announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year
September
Today’s announcement states that she will resume “light duties” after completing chemotherapy, meaning royal fans can expect to see the princess, who has been a source of concern to them since Christmas, a little better.
Kensington Palace said Princess Kate was looking forward to making a number of public appearances in the coming months and had been working from home on projects, including her work in early childhood, and would continue to do so.
Princess Kate is pictured smiling in a photo released today by Kensington Palace with Prince William, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George
