Kate Middleton makes rare public appearance amid cancer battle
Full video: Kate Middleton confirms cancer diagnosis
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, said Friday she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. The video announcement came after weeks of speculation spread on social media about her whereabouts and health since she was hospitalized in January for unspecified abdominal surgery.
Kate Middleton made a rare public appearance on Sunday, as she continues to navigate her battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.
The Princess of Wales, 42, visited Crathie Church on the Balmoral Estate with her husband, Prince William. The couple was also reportedly accompanied by their eldest son, Prince George, according to FOX News.
According to the U.K.’s DailyMail, the couple joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Edward, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and their son, James Wessex, for the church visit.
This outing marked Middleton’s first public appearance in over a month, where she was seen in the photos sporting a feathered hat and a cheerful demeanor.
The royal family is currently enjoying their summer retreat at Balmoral Castle, a favorite location of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the estate in 2022.
Kensington Palace recently announced that William will return to public duties on Sept. 5 in London. She is scheduled to attend the "Homelessness: Reframed" exhibit at the Saatchi Gallery.
Kate Middleton’s cancer battle
The Princess of Wales stepped away from public duties after announcing on March 22 that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
In a video message, she said she had begun chemotherapy.
"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," she said in the video released by the palace.
She continued: "In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful; however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team, therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."
In May, Prince William has offered a positive assessment of his wife’s health, one of the royal’s few comments about her condition since she announced that she was undergoing treatment.
"I asked William about his wife Kate and he said, ‘she’s doing well, thanks,’" hospital administrator Tracy Smith told reporters as William was touring St. Mary’s Community Hospital on Isles of Scilly. "And I suggested they might like to come for a visit and bring the children."
Middleton attended Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon a month later. She skipped Garter Day, Royal Ascot and a Japan state visit to the U.K.
Catherine, Princess of Wales during the trophy ceremony for the Mens Singles Final at The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club at Wimbledon on July 14th, 2024 in London, England. (Credit: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Ge
"These days, Kate is playing a waiting game – following doctor’s orders religiously and praying that future tests will show the chemo has done its job," Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," previously told Fox News Digital.
Kate Middleton gives update on cancer treatment
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, said that she is "making good progress" with her chemotherapy treatment, according to a post on the Kensington Royal’s X, formerly known as Twitter, account. "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," she said.
"It’s a stressful, debilitating time for Kate, magnified that much more by the fact that the world is holding its breath along with her," Andersen added.
Andersen told Fox News Digital that Middleton has been quietly keeping busy behind palace doors while relying on her family for support during tough days.
RELATED: Kate Middleton announces cancer diagnosis in video message
"Kate occasionally focuses on causes she has long championed – mental health awareness, for example," Andersen claimed. "She has also been spotted running errands, usually with her mother. But Kate’s main job right now is making sure her three children are spending their summer holiday the way they always do – swimming, horseback riding and playing with her cousins at Anmer Hall, their country home on the grounds of Sandringham."
Andersen pointed out that the family would make their annual pilgrimage to Balmoral.
"Kate is determined that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis don’t get cheated out of summer fun because of their mother’s medical issues," said Andersen. "That’s just the kind of person she is."