Kate said Friday that she plans to take part in a parade celebrating King Charles III's birthday on Saturday, marking her tentative return to the public stage after confirming in March that she is undergoing cancer treatment.
The news, announced by the Duchess in a highly personal six-paragraph statement, reflects both her progress since she was first admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery last January, and the long road to recovery she still faces.
“I am recovering well but as anyone undergoing chemotherapy knows, there are good days and bad days,” Katherine wrote.
“On the days when I'm not feeling well, I feel weak and tired and I just need to rest,” the princess said, “but on the days when I'm feeling well and energetic, I want to make the most of that energy.”
The Duchess, 42, said she hopes to take part in several other engagements over the summer, but stressed that Saturday's parade, her first in months, does not mark a formal return to public life – she hasn't been seen in public since Christmas last year.
“I'm not out of the woods yet,” she wrote. “I am learning to be patient, especially in times of uncertainty. I am taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and taking this time I need to heal.”
Still, this cautious return to normality will be a great relief for the British royal family, which has struggled in recent months with both Kate and her father-in-law, Prince Charles, battling serious health issues.
Prince Charles and Kate Middleton are some of the most visible members of the royal family, and their illnesses and sudden absences have put a strain on a royal family that is still coming to terms with the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.
Prince Charles was hospitalized in January for prostate treatment but began returning to royal duties in April. Last week he attended a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. Although he has appeared in good health during recent engagements, Buckingham Palace has released few details about his treatment or prognosis.
Prince Charles turned 75 in November, but his official birthday celebrations, known as Trooping the Colour, will take place on Saturday, when 1,400 officers of the Royal Guards will march in front of the King from Buckingham Palace, along the Mall, to Horse Guards Parade and back to the Palace.
Kate said she would be taking part in the parade with her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. A palace source said Kate will ride in the State Carriage with her children and appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with her family. Rumors of Kate's participation had been circulating in the British press.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said Prince Charles was “delighted that the Princess can attend tomorrow's event and is very much looking forward to everything the day has to offer.”
Kensington Palace, where Kate and Prince William have their offices, has not disclosed the type of cancer Kate has or her prognosis. The palace has asked for privacy while she undergoes treatment. After initial rumors about Kate's condition and whereabouts, British tabloids have largely ignored her.
A palace source said the Duchess has begun working from home and will consult with her doctor before deciding whether to attend future public events.
In a statement, Catherine said her treatment would continue for “several more months.” She spoke of her joy in discussing her children's school plans and her involvement in charity work.
“On days when I feel well enough, I enjoy participating in school life, spending personal time doing things that give me energy and positivity, and starting a little work from home,” she wrote.
“We've been so touched by the amount of kind support and encouraging messages we've received over the past few months,” Catherine added. “It's made a real difference to William and me, helping us both get through a difficult time.”