Kate Middleton Returns to Commonwealth Day Service for First Time in 2 Years

Kate Middleton is attending an vital occasion on the royal household’s annual calendar for the primary time in two years after scaling again her schedule in 2024 whereas present process therapy for most cancers.

On March 6, the Princess of Wales, 43, stepped out at Westminster Abbey in London to attend the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration for the primary time since 2023. She joined Prince William, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester for the commemoration, which is noticed by individuals everywhere in the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.

The Princess of Wales, who wore a purple costume by Catherine Walker with a bow element and matching hat by Gina Foster, was absent from final yr’s church service on March 11, 2024, as she recovered from a “deliberate belly surgical procedure” that she underwent in January of that yr. It has since been revealed that Kate started chemotherapy therapy for most cancers someday in February.

On the time, Kensington Palace said that Princess Kate was not anticipated to return to public duties “till after Easter,” which fell on March 30. Nonetheless, on March 22, she appeared in a video message, sharing that she had been present process chemotherapy for an undisclosed type of most cancers following post-operative testing.

Kate then stepped away from the highlight for many of the yr to prioritize her well being. She shared in September that she accomplished chemotherapy and stated on Jan. 14 that she is in remission. Kate seems to be returning to royal work in full power, enterprise a number of solo engagements and outings with Prince William because the begin of the yr.

“It’s a reduction to now be in remission and I stay centered on restoration. As anybody who has skilled a most cancers analysis will know, it takes time to regulate to a brand new regular. I’m nonetheless wanting ahead to a satisfying yr forward,” the Princess of Wales stated within the January announcement about being in remission. “There’s a lot to stay up for. Thanks to everybody on your continued help.”

Her father-in-law, the King, additionally makes his return to the Commonwealth Day Service for the primary time since 2023. The sovereign was unable to attend final March because the celebration fell just some weeks after Buckingham Palace introduced that he was identified with most cancers and commenced therapy. 

On Feb. 5, 2024, the palace introduced that the analysis was recognized following the King’s therapy for a benign enlarged prostate in January (a spokesman clarified he doesn’t have prostate most cancers). The assertion stated he had been “suggested by docs to postpone public-facing duties,” that means he couldn’t be on the Commonwealth commemoration that sometimes has about 2,000 visitors.

The King adopted docs’ orders and as an alternative despatched help for the 2024 Commonwealth Service by issuing a video message through which he pledged to serve to “the most effective of my skill.”

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King Charles resumed forward-facing work final April and has been busy ever since. Palace sources stated earlier than Christmas that his therapy for most cancers would proceed into the brand new yr, transferring in a “optimistic path” and as a “managed situation.”

“His therapy has been transferring in a optimistic path and as a managed situation the therapy cycle will proceed into subsequent yr,” sources stated then.

The Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration is the royal household’s first main occasion of the yr, held on the venue the place Prince William and Princess Kate wed in 2011.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary community of 56 nations, most previously underneath British rule, of which King Charles is the ceremonial head. It exists to counterpoint the lives of its 2.7 billion residents.

The theme of Commonwealth Day 2025 is “Collectively We Thrive” to rejoice the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth household. It additionally marks the primary time that Princess Kate and the King, 76, have respectively attended the Commonwealth Day Service since 2023 after lacking it final yr for health-related causes.