Inside Kate Middleton's 'measured' return to 'normal' following cancer battle as the Princess of Wales enjoys skiing holiday with her family

The Princess of Wales has kicked off her ‘fulfilling year’ after announcing she is in remission from cancer with a family holiday, with the royal expected to continue her ‘measured’ return to ‘normal’ in 2025. 

Royal fans breathed a sigh of relief last September, when Kate announced she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy.   

Kate said that experience with the disease had reminded her and William ‘to reflect and be grateful for the simple things in life’ and given her a renewed sense of what’s important. 

‘Simply loving and being loved,’ she shared, at the time. 

Renewed with purpose, the princess also expressed her delight at being able to resume her public duties and undertaking ‘a few more public engagements in the coming months’. 

Four months – and a handful of public appearances later – the mother-of-three, 43, is navigating a carefully calibrated return to the spotlight – with the Princess expected to attend the Bafta film awards next month. 

If she decides to walk the red carpet with her husband, the Prince of Wales, the event will mark Kate’s most high-profile public appearance since treatment. 

After completing treatment, however, her first engagement was an emotionally-charged visit to Southport last October, where she and Prince William, 43, met the families of the three girls who lost their lives in the senseless knife attack tragedy. 

The Princess of Wales has kicked off her ‘fulfilling year’ after announcing she is in remission from cancer with a family holiday, with the royal expected to continue her ‘measured’ return to ‘normal’ in 2025. Fans celebrated her appearance at the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service in Sandringham 

 The Mail on Sunday recently revealed that Kate, William, and their children – George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six – enjoyed a quiet break in the Alps just over two weeks ago. William and Kate pictured here during their 2016 visit to the French Alps 

She kicked 2025 off with a visit to the Royal Marsden hospital in London, where she secretly underwent treatment for cancer

The princess looked visibly moved as she spoke with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine  during private meetings. 

The details of the visit, which marked Kate’s first official public enagagement since completing chemotherapy, were kept under wraps until after the Wales’ departure out of respect to the victims’ families. 

The following month, she and her family led the nation in remembering Britain’s war dead with back-to-back appearances on Remembrance Weekend. 

Accompanied by a watchful Prince William, Kate attended the Festival of Remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, with the couple paying tribute to the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for Britain. 

They appeared visibly moved during a rendition of Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer that was one of three prayer songs chosen for their wedding service in 2011, including Love Divine All Love Excelling and Jersualem. 

The following day, Kate joined King Charles, Prince William, and other senior royals, including the Princess Royal and Duchess of Edinburgh, at the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Sunday Service. 

Joined by Sophie, Kate appeared solemn as she watched over the proceedings from a balcony before joining the nation in observing two minutes of silence in honour of Britain’s fallen soldiers. 

She continued her favoured tradition of wearing a military style coat for the service and also donned a significant piece of royal jewellery for the service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London.  

The Princess of Wales joined Prince William, as well as senior members of the Royal Family, for the annual Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in London last November 

Kate appeared solemn as she watched over the proceedings from a balcony before joining the nation in observing two minutes of silence in honour of Britain’s fallen soldiers

Kate picked earrings crafted from pearls gifted to the Queen and Philip from the ruler of Bahrain at the time of their wedding in 1947. 

On her coat was a 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards Brooch, alongside three five-petal royal poppies.

Brigadier Alan Richmond gifted Catherine the brooch when she was made Colonel-in-Chief of the Dragoon Guards in 2023.

As Kate embarked on what the Palace has repeatedly said would be a slow and measured return to public duties – bearing in mind her continued recovery – the princess geared up for a slew of engagements through the month of December.

First on her calendar was the Emir of Qatar’s state visit – the Princess’ most high-profile royal engagement of 2024. 

She looked regal in a berry ensemble as she welcomed the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry in Horse Guards Parade, London. 

Marking a huge moment for the Princess as she returned to this official engagement following months out of action while undergoing chemotherapy, Kate added a flash of glamour to the ceremonial welcome of the Qatari royals.

 In choosing berry, she echoed similar shades to those she sported in Southport when she visited the families who had lost their three young daughters.

Kate looked regal in a berry ensemble as she and Prince William welcomed the Emir of Qatar to London for a two-day state visit last December 

Photographs from the event showed Prince William lovingly supporting his wife throughout the welcome ceremony 

Photographs from the event, which showed Prince William lovingly supporting his wife throughout, fuelled the anticipation for Kate’s comeback Christmas carol concert – in what would be her biggest stride towards normalcy after the Princess’ cancer ordeal. 

Indeed, her appearance at the historic Westminster Abbey, where the special is filmed, a few days later inspired festive cheer for millions of royal fans around the world. 

The Princess was radiant in red as she arrived at the abbey to lead her family at the ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service, which was later broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve. 

In light of the turbulence of her cancer diagnosis, the service’s theme of empathy and support took on a special significance as Kate paid tribute to ‘individuals who have inspired, counselled, and comforted’ those in need. 

The comeback concert was attended by several royals, including the Duchess of Edinburgh, Zara Tindall, and Princess Beatrice, as well as Kate’s siblings, James and Pippa Middleton. 

Notably, the Princess of Wales appeared happy, as she ushered Prince William and their three children into the church in photographs that are beautifully emblematic of the future of Britain’s Royal Family. 

The jubilant mood continued after it was confirmed Kate would join other senior members of the Royal Fanily for the annual Christmas Day service at King Charles’ Norfolk estate. 

On Christmas morning, hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets outside St Mary Magdalene Church, waiting for a glimpse of the Princess of Wales. 

In light of the turbulence of her cancer diagnosis, the service’s theme of empathy and support took on a special significance as Kate paid tribute to ‘individuals who have inspired, counselled, and comforted’ those in need at her Christmas Carol concert. She is photographed here with William and their three children (from left to right), George, Charlotte, and Louis 

On Christmas morning, hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets outside St Mary Magdalene Church, waiting for a glimpse of the Princess of Wales. After the service, Kate – who picked a festive-ready forest green ensemble for the occasion – was inundanted with bouquets of flowers as she greeted royal fans from across the country

The Wales during the royal walkabout at Sandringham 

After the service, Kate – who picked a festive-ready forest green ensemble for the occasion – was inundanted with bouquets of flowers as she greeted royal fans from across the country. 

Kate’s infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment.

The Princess’ visit to the Royal Marsden hospital earlier this month was significant for two reasons; not only did it mark her first solo public engagement in more than a year, the trip underscored her message of solidarity with fellow cancer patients.

When Catherine first revealed she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy, she also promised to stand ‘side by side’ with cancer survivors and their families in a moving message of solidarity. 

‘To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. 

‘Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright,’ she said. 

Not long after Kate’s update, the royal hosted 17-year-old terminally-ill photographer Liz Hatton, who has since tragically died, during a private meeting at Windsor Castle. 

The poignant photo of Kate warmly embracing Liz echoed Kate’s words in her three-minute video: ‘I am with you.’ 

The Princess of Wales undertook her first solo public engagement on Tuesday in more than a year as she visited the London hospital where she has secretly undergone her own chemotherapy treatment

It was not the first time that Catherine, 43, has returned to express her heartfelt thanks to the team. Pictured: Talking with Peter Burton

Catherine secretly popped in to the specialist cancer care centre just before Christmas during an ‘under the radar’ festive visit. Pictured: Talking with Katherine Field

These words also reverberated through the halls of the Royal Marsden hospital, where completed her own cancer treatment, last week as Catherine met with patients to show her support and thanked staff for their ‘exceptional care, support, and compassion’. 

Hugging one well-wisher, who was being treated for the disease, the Princess offered encouragement and kindness, saying: ‘Are you OK? 

‘There is light at the end of that tunnel,’ she reiterated. ‘You are in the best of hands.’  

During her visit to the hospital’s Chelsea site, Catherine also reflected on her own cancer journey and ‘the resilence you need to get through’ the treatment before confirming she is in remission. 

It came as Kensington Palace revealed that the Princess will join her husband, the Prince of Wales, as joint royal patron of the Royal Marseden – a role that William’s mother Diana once held. 

Palace aides also stressed that her visit to the hospital in central London is one of a small number of engagements Cathering will undertake this year, adding her return to public would be ‘gradual’.  

In a message on social media, the Princess said: ‘It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. 

The Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William (not pictured) for an emotional visit to Southport last October when she met the families of the three girls who lost their lives in the senseless knife attack tragedy. Their visit came one month after Catherine announced she had completed treatment for cancer 

The Princess looked radiant in red as she led her fourth ‘Together at Christmas’ carol concert last December 

‘As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.’ 

Before signing off, Catherine also added she is ‘looking forward to a fulfilling year’ ahead as the mother-of-three continues her measured return to public life in 2025. 

This is likely to include a show-stopping appearance at next month’s Bafta film awards, marking Catherine’s biggest comeback to royal working life so far.   

MailOnline previously revealed that BAFTA film committee chairman Anna Higgs is ‘very hopeful’ Kate will accompany her husband William, who is the academy’s president’ at London’s Royal Albert Hall on February 16. 

If she decides to walk the red carpet at the star-studded awards ceremony, the appearance will mark Catherine’s most high-profile public engagement in over a year. 

She first attended the event in 2017. The couple took a break in 2021, just before Prince Philip died, and again in 2022, due to diary constraints, before a triumphant return in 2023 when the ceremony paid tribute to the late Queen.

The ceremony holds special significance for the royal family; in 2018, Catherine even attended the Baftas while heavily pregnant with Prince Louis, who was born two months later.

In the meantime, however, it is clear Kate’s number one priority will be spending time with her family after William described 2024 as ‘the hardest year of my life’ – following his wife and father’s consecutive cancer diagnoses. 

The Mail on Sunday recently revealed that Kate, William, and their children – George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six – enjoyed a quiet break in the Alps just over two weeks ago.  

They are said to have slipped away from their home at Anmer on the Sandringham estate shortly after Christmas, and spent several days away, along with members of the Middleton family.

Onlookers who caught sight of the couple and their children enjoying hot drinks at a mouontaintop restaurant said they were struck by how ‘normal’ they looked. 

In what will be a great relief to fans of the princess, who has emerged stronger after a challenging year, a member of staff at the restaurant revealed: ‘It was lovely to see Kate relaxing and enjoying herself.’ 

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