Royal Insiders Share Rare Update on Princess Kate’s Cancer Recovery: ‘It’s a New Normal’
Kate Middleton’s return to public life is one of cautious confidence, with insiders revealing that her recovery from cancer has progressed more positively than many had expected. While her royal calendar reflects a carefully managed 'new normal,' her recent high-profile appearances suggest a significant turning point in her gradual comeback.
Middleton’s return to royal engagements has exceeded expectations as 2025 comes to a close. At the beginning of the year, Palace sources confirmed she would ease back to her royal duties now that she is in remission. However, her prominent role throughout the German estate visit this week, followed by her appearance at the 'Together at Christmas' carol service, has been widely viewed as a meaningful milestone.
An insider revealed to the Daily Mail just how remarkable the change has been. “It’s still an ongoing process. But I think this year has felt much more normal than anyone had expected, or even dared to hope.” Those close to Middleton described her revised schedule as encouraging, despite being different from her life before her diagnosis. Another source added, “It’s a new normal rather than the normal we once knew, if that makes sense? We will see the pace of things continue in the same vein without any great change. But the shoots of recovery are definitely there.”
The source insisted, "It makes everyone around the Princess acutely aware they need to make sure that she is returning at a pace that is right for her. It's still a balancing act. The team needs to get the drumbeat right." Despite the optimism, the lasting effects of treatment remain a central consideration. Middleton got candid about the same during a July visit to a hospital garden in Colchester. She said, “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment's done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal,' but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.” She added, “You are not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you are not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to."
A friend also reflected on how some priorities remained constant despite the challenges the Wales family faced. "One steadfast thing that hasn't changed is that the children remain at the centre of her universe, and William's," they stated. "They continue to be hands-on parents. Nothing matters to them more." During an interview with Brazilian television host Luciano Huck while in Brazil for his Earthshot Prize engagement, Prince William also opened up about Middleton’s diagnosis.
He admitted that it was a difficult conversation to have with their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. William said there exists “no manual for being a parent” and added, “We chose to communicate a lot more with our children. Now, that has its good things and its bad things. Sometimes you feel you’re oversharing with the children; you probably shouldn’t. But most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn’t work.”
The Princess of Wales' brother, James, also shared insight into her recovery. In an interview with Us Weekly, he praised his sister for battling the illness. He expressed, “Catherine is very much on a public stage, and I’m in awe of a lot of the things she does. I think the thing I’m most proud of is that she’s still the same person that I grew up with.”