Kate Middleton’s role within the British royal family may change significantly following her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The Princess of Wales, who was once a prominent figure alongside her husband Prince William during royal engagements, “may never come back in the role that people saw her in before,” an insider told Us Weekly on Tuesday. The source added that she is currently “reevaluating what she’s going to be able to take on when she comes back” after undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatments for her cancer.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams emphasized that Kate Middleton’s return to royal duties will depend heavily on medical advice and will be carefully balanced to ensure her health and well-being. Kensington Palace has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
This news follows a report by the Daily Beast suggesting that Middleton may not appear publicly as a working royal for the remainder of 2024. Since January, when she underwent a “planned” abdominal surgery, the princess has largely stayed out of the public eye. The surgery led to her cancer diagnosis, which the royal family initially kept private, prompting widespread speculation and conspiracy theories about her health, marriage, and potential divorce.
On March 22, Middleton addressed the rumors by revealing her recent cancer diagnosis in a video. She did not specify the type of cancer but shared the impact it had on her family, emphasizing the private struggle she and William have faced. “This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” she said. The couple has three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 6.
While Middleton continues her treatment, Prince William returned to his royal duties in April and provided a brief update on her health when asked by a fan. “Yeah, we’re all doing well,” he replied.
In May, a friend of Kate Middleton’s told Vanity Fair that she had “turned a corner” with her cancer diagnosis, noting that she is tolerating the medication well and is doing much better. Despite this positive news, it remains uncertain whether Middleton will participate in the British monarchy’s annual Trooping the Colour festivities scheduled for June 15.
As she focuses on her recovery, the royal family and the public alike await to see how Middleton’s role within the monarchy will evolve.