Kate Middletonwill remain out of the public eye during hercancer treatmentbut may join in events when she feels able.
Palace sources say that wouldnot necessarilysignal a return to royal duties — that decision will rest on doctors’ advice. For now, Princess Kate’s focus is on her full recovery, with her family there to support her.
“She has the inner strength, the support of her husband and her extraordinary family, so she can focus on what’s important, which is her getting back to strength,” Ailsa Anderson, a former spokeswoman forQueen Elizabeth, tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’scover story.
Those closest to the princess say they have every hope that when she is ready, she will return stronger than ever.
PEOPLE Magazine, April 8, 2024.
“[The royal family] is vulnerable at the moment, and there will be an even greater appreciation that they are human beings with frailties like the rest of us,” says a former palace aide. “They are so dedicated to their roles. I think you will find when Kate makes a full recovery, she will come back even more passionate.”
At 42, the Princess of Wales is carrying an extraordinarily heavy weight on her slender shoulders: a scary diagnosis — she has not disclosed the type or stage of cancer but said it was discovered after her Jan. 16abdominal surgery— along with the eyes of the world on both her health and what her illness might mean for the future of the monarchy.
But sitting in the garden of Windsor Castle last Wednesday, the same place where Queen Elizabeth had spent extensive time during her final years, Kate was focused only on sharing her truth in her own words.
In a vulnerable video message, the royal revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. The royal mom, so famous for her unerring poise, spoke about initially keeping the diagnosis private for “the sake of our young family,” her voice cracking at the reference toPrince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5, whom she shares withPrince William.
To others dealing with cancer, she counseled, “You are not alone.”
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“Shewrote the words herselfand delivered it personally — she wanted to decide when the time was right to tell the world,” says her former private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton. “It is an incredibly important thing that she’s done. I thought, ‘This is our future queen — goodness, what courage!’ She showed remarkable composure given all that has been swirling around.”
source: people.com
