As the Princess of Wales continues to receive treatment for a publicly undisclosed type of cancer, the date of her return to public duty has remained understandably ambiguous. As a spokesperson for Kensington Palace has said recently, ‘We have been really clear that [Kate] needs the space and the privacy to recover right now. She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.’

And yet there has been continued speculation about Kate’s return to public life, and what that might look like – with one US report claiming that her duties may never ‘return to normal’. The tabloid report, in US Weekly, suggested that Kate and her team were ‘reevaluating what she’s going to be able to take on when she comes back’, adding that her role might not look the same ever again.

To which one might respond, and why should it? Anyone who has suffered from a serious illness will agree that returning to work can be a daunting prospect, particularly one as public and which comes with as much scrutiny as Kate’s does. It’s understandable to presume that expectations and pressure might be managed for the princess so that her health is her number one priority for the foreseeable as well as, of course, her three children George, Charlotte and Louis who have been at the forefront of Kate and Prince William’s minds as they have been proceeding with balancing Kate’s treatment with keeping the public updated. 

The Princess of Wales has been an undeniably integral part of the slimmed down monarchy since she married William in 2011 but particularly since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from their official Royal roles in January 2020. Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, the royal family has faced some struggles when it comes to presenting a unified front to the ever watchful British people (particularly as Prince Andrew has been removed from his official duties following sexual assault allegations in 2019). 

With both the Princess of Wales and King Charles out of action, with the King also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer since April, it has been tough for Prince William, along with Camilla, the Queen, and Princess Anne to juggle their official duties with such a slimmed down serving team of royals.

Kate’s passion projects will remain at the forefront of her return to work, including her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, whose recent report Kate was said to have been closely following behind the scenes whilst undergoing treatment. She was said to be ‘excited’ by the report’s claims the UK could reap £45.5bn in economic benefits if firms prioritise early childhood, though Palace sources were clear that this was not to be considered her return to work.

Whilst Kate has been undergoing chemotherapy, the Wales family has been mainly staying at Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk on the Sandringham estate – a 10-bedroom home complete with a swimming pool, tennis court. There, Kate is said to enjoy spending time baking and reading, and has also been spotted in shops near to her home – though she is largely left alone by the locals who are, by now, used to seeing her and act with a certain level of respect. Meanwhile, Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, and younger sister, Pippa Middleton Matthews are said to be ‘a constant presence’, supporting Kate and William, and the children, through this difficult time.

And so, when it comes to next steps, and finding her ‘new normal’ once her treatment ends, those around Kate are being careful that she doesn’t have any plans to step back into the shoes she once filled, with a calendar full of duties. ‘Life is going to look very different for some time,’ said the source. ‘And why shouldn’t it? Kate has been through a lot and while her duties are incredibly important, her health must come first.’