Royal insider gives update on Kate Middleton's return to work after cancer treatment

Exactly one year ago, the Prince and Princess of Wales were staring down an incredibly uncertain 2024.

Rewind twelve months, and we find Kate Middleton being whisked into the hospital for a serious abdominal operation, quickly followed by her public revelation of a cancer diagnosis and the onset of her treatment regime. Withdrawing largely from the spotlight over the year, she bravely faced down chemotherapy.

In recent months, Kate has gently edged back into Royal engagements. Crowning the close of 2024, she joined the traditional Christmas Day church walk at Sandringham, radiating joy as she was showered with flowers and presents from the adoring public. This prompted speculation: Could 2025 herald Kate's full-swing return to the Royal circuit after her spate of activities, including her festive Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey?

• Kate Middleton is being 'very careful' ahead of birthday celebrations after cancer struggles
• Prince William and Kate Middleton had a secret date months before romance went public, college pal says

A palace insider cautions that consistent sightings of Kate in her official capacity may take time. An informant told the Daily Mail: "There is no huge reset button that's going to be hit in January."

"What we will actually see is a slow continuation of the Princess balancing her recovery and her public-facing duties, as she outlined back in September [when she warned her recovery was still ongoing despite having completed her chemotherapy]," reports the Mirror.

They added: "Cancer impacts on your perspective, and what you have seen in the decisions they have made over the last year is that family and their children continue to be at the centre of their universe. Both Their Royal Highnesses have a strong commitment to duty, service and using their platform for good. But what they are working on is ways they can balance themselves as parents with being the Prince and Princess of Wales."

Additionally, it's reported that there are no major foreign tours on the cards for Kate, though she might accompany William on shorter jaunts if she's feeling up to it. William is expected to embark on several international trips in the near future.

During her most recent public outing on Christmas Day, Kate was seen embracing a cancer patient after enduring her own 'brutal' battle with the illness. The Duchess, along with Prince William and their kids – 11 year old Prince George, 9 year old Princess Charlotte, and 6 year old Prince Louis – joined the King and Queen Consort for the traditional walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church, delighting the crowd of eager onlookers.

Some Royal enthusiasts had even spent the night outside to ensure a prime spot to see the family's church procession in Norfolk. After the approximately 45-minute service, Kate shared a heartfelt hug with 73 year old Karen Maclean from North Lincolnshire, who disclosed her "20 years of cancer" struggle while conversing with both the Duchess and Prince Charles about their experiences with the disease.

Ms Maclean shared: "We just had a little talk about cancer, really. I've met the King before. He said to me 'I can remember you', I'm thinking 'what! ', like many years ago? " She noted that Charles and Kate appeared "very well actually, considering what they're going through". After embracing Kate, she added: "What a privilege."