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Everything we know about the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis, treatment and return to royal duties

The Princess of Wales shared a personal health update as she continues chemotherapy


Kate Middleton at Trooping and posing in front of tree© Getty
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: June 10, 2024
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The Princess of Wales is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis, with Kate, 42, having begun treatment in late February.

In a personal update ahead of her Trooping the Colour appearance on 15 June, the Princess shared that she was making "good progress" with her treatment but candidly added she has "good days and bad days" and, although she has been working from home, said "I am not out of the woods yet".

Royal watchers were thrilled when Kate joined the royal family at the King's birthday parade.

Kate, who wore a white and navy Jenny Packham dress, travelled in the carriage procession with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to watch the ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.

The Princess and her three children then joined the Prince of Wales, the King and Queen and other senior working royals on the balcony to watch the flypast. 

WATCH: William and Kate release moving behind-the-scenes video from Trooping

While Kate said in her statement that she is hoping to join a "few public engagements over the summer," any outings should not be interpreted as the Princess returning to public life.  

Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, to view the flypast following the Trooping the Colour ceremony© Getty
William and Kate shared a touching moment together on the balcony

The future queen did not join her family at Royal Ascot, Garter Day or the Japan State Visit, but there is speculation that Kate could attend the tennis finals of the Wimbledon Championships this weekend in her role as patron of The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

Here's everything we know about her progress amid her chemotherapy.

Kate's personal update on her health

Kensington Palace released a new photograph of the Princess alongside her statement, released on 14 June – which showed her leaning against a tree on the Windsor Park estate.

Kate Middleton standing next to tree© Matt Porteous
Princess Kate released this new image ahead of her appearance at Trooping

Kate wrote: "I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.

"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.

Charlotte and William grinning on balcony© Getty
Kate joined her family on the balcony

"My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.

"I'm looking forward to attending The King's Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet."

When will Kate return to royal duties?

The Princess has not yet resumed a full schedule of public engagements and any future appearances will be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on how she is feeling.

A time frame has not been set for Kate's return to her duties as she is being given time to convalesce and recover before full-time work.

When did the royal announce her cancer diagnosis and what did she say?

The mother-of-three announced the news in a personal video message on 22 March, where she explained that at the time of her abdominal surgery in January, her condition was believed to be non-cancerous. However, post-operative tests found cancer had been present.

"It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful," said Kate in part.

WATCH: Princess Kate's video message in full

The Prince and Princess wanted to share the news when they "felt it was right for them as a family".

Princess Kate, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte travel along The Mall after Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade© Getty
The children are William and Kate's number one priority

In her statement, Kate said: "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. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

"But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok."

What type of cancer does Kate have?

The type of cancer has not been disclosed by Kensington Palace as the senior members of the royal family endeavour to keep her personal health and medical records private.

Why did she have surgery? 

The reasons for Princess Kate's major abdominal surgery which she underwent in January have not been disclosed. It was thought at the time that the procedure was non-cancerous, however, subsequent tests found that cancer was present.

On 17 January, it was confirmed by Kensington Palace that Kate had been admitted to the private London Clinic for planned abdominal surgery.

Kate Middleton wearing all white outfit to Christmas concert© Getty
Kate pictured at her Christmas concert back in December

The palace released a lengthy statement, which added: "The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.

Police officers stand guard outside The London Clinic after Princess Kate underwent planned surgery© Getty
Kate was treated at the London Clinic in January

"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.

"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."

How long did the Princess stay in hospital?

The royal was discharged from the London Clinic on 29 January after a 13-day stay in hospital.

Kensington Palace shared in a statement at the time: "The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.

Prince William, Prince of Wales seen leaving The London Clinic after visiting Catherine, Princess of Wales on January 18, 2024 in London,© Getty
William visiting Kate in hospital

"The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

"The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world."

Sightings since surgery and cancer diagnosis

The Princess was pictured for the first time since her surgery on 4 March, when TMZ published an unauthorised paparazzi shot of Kate sitting in the passenger seat of a car as her mother, Carole Middleton, drove the pair through Windsor. 

A sweet family photograph of the Princess with her children, taken by William, was shared on Mother's Day in the UK on 10 March, but the portrait sparked confusion as news agencies pulled the image after it was found to have been digitally altered. 

princess kate surrounded by children in windsor © The Prince of Wales
The photo of Kate and her children was released to mark Mother's Day

Kate later issued an apology via social media the day after, writing: "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."

The Princess was later pictured in a car with William as she travelled to London for a private appointment, while her husband attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. 

On 19 March, The Sun and TMZ shared footage of the Prince and Princess leaving the Windsor Farm Shop, close to their home, Adelaide Cottage, with Kate seen dressed in sportswear and holding a large white shopping bag as she chatted to her husband. 

Three days later, Kate's video message was released, confirming she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

Prince William and Kate released this new photo of Prince Louis to mark his 6th birthday© The Princess of Wales
Prince William and Kate released this new photo of Prince Louis to mark his 6th birthday

On 23 April, the Prince and Princess shared a new photograph of Prince Louis to mark his sixth birthday, taken by mum Kate in Windsor. In a break from tradition, the portrait was released on the Prince's actual birthday, rather than the eve of.

Princess Charlotte's ninth birthday photo, taken in Windsor© The Princess of Wales
Princess Charlotte on her ninth birthday

A photograph of Princess Charlotte to mark her ninth birthday, also taken by the Princess, was also released on her actual birthday. 

And on 21 June, Kate shared an fun family photo of her husband and their three children jumping off the sand dunes on a Norfolk beach to mark William's 42nd birthday.

Prince William jumping with George, Charlotte and Louis on Norfolk beach© The Princess of Wales
Kate captured this incredible shot of her family

The personal message from the Princess read: “Happy birthday Papa, we all love you so much!” She signed it off with "Cx".

Timeline of Princess Kate's surgery and health updates

Close-up of Kate Middleton wearing a blazer© Getty
Kate went in for abdominal surgery on 17 January

25 December 2023 – Kate is last seen publicly on Christmas Day

9 January 2024 – Kate celebrates her 42nd birthday, with the King and Queen sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the coronation to mark the day.

11 January 2024 – William returns to royal duties, meeting rugby heroes Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

17 January 2024 – Kensington Palace announces in a statement that Kate has undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic and that William has temporarily stepped back from royal duties to care for Kate and their children.

18 January 2024 – William visits Kate at the London Clinic.

26 January 2024 – King Charles visits Kate in hospital before undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

29 January 2024 – Kate is discharged from hospital and returns home to Windsor to continue her recovery. King Charles also leaves the London Clinic on the same day after his treatment.

7 February 2024 – William resumes royal duties attending London's Air Ambulance Charity gala with Tom Cruise.

10 February 2024 – William and Kate spend February half-term with George, Charlotte and Louis at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. Kate's siblings are also pictured on holiday during the school holidays, with James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet flying to the Caribbean with baby Inigo, and Pippa Matthews and her family holidaying on the island of St Barts.

27 February 2024 – Kate said to be "doing well" as William pulls out of King Constantine memorial due to a "personal matter".

29 February 2024 – Kensington Palace addresses social media speculation, reiterating: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter."

10 March 2024 - A photograph of Kate with their three children at home in Windsor is released to mark Mother's Day and to thank the public for their "continued support".

11 March 2024 - Kate publicly apologises for the "confusion" around the photograph as she admitted she "occasionally experiments with editing," after news agencies pulled the image amid claims it had been digitally altered. The Princess is then seen in a car with William as she's driven to a private appointment in London. 

19 March 2024 - Footage of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop is shared by The Sun and TMZ in the first video sighting of the Princess since surgery.

22 March 2024 - Princess Kate confirms that she has been diagnosed with cancer in a moving video message and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy. 

18 April 2024 - Prince William returns to royal duties after spending Easter holidays privately as a family. 

10 May 2024 - Prince William says Kate is "doing well" as he visits the Isles of Scilly. 

21 May 2024 - Princess Kate is "excited" as Kensington Palace shares update on her early years work with the release of her Business Taskforce's prioritising childhood report.

8 June 2024 - Princess Kate writes letter to Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take part in the salute at the Colonel's Review.

14 June 2024 - In a personal statement, Kate shares she is making "good progress" and that her "treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months". 

15 June 2024 - Kate makes her first major public appearance since diagnosis at Trooping the Colour

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