The princess is making a return to public duties after her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales made a big return to royal duties this weekend after Prince William called 2024 a brutal year for the family.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, is ramping up her return to public duties after finishing chemotherapy treatment.
Kate joined her husband Prince William and other members of Britain’s royal family at two events over the weekend honoring the United Kingdom’s fallen soldiers.
On Saturday, Kate attended the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall, appearing emotional at one point during a standing ovation for war veterans.
Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives to attend “The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance” ceremony at Royal Albert Hall, in London, on Nov. 9, 2024.
Chris J Ratcliffe, Pool via AFP via Getty Images
On Sunday, Kate joined the royal family at the Cenotaph War Memorial in London to mark Remembrance Sunday, an annual commemoration in the U.K. honoring British service members who have died in the line of duty.
Kate’s attendance at both events this year is notable both because of the importance the royal family places on the Remembrance holiday, and her return to public duties.
Catherine Princess of Wales, the Princess of Wales attends the Remembrance Sunday service at The Cenotaph in London National Service Of Remembrance, in London on Nov. 10, 2024.
Stephen Lock/Pool/Shutterstock
“Over the weekend, the reaction to having [Kate] back was really enthusiastic,” said ABC News royal contributor Victoria Murphy. “She looked really energized, really composed, and it was very important that she was there because Remembrance is the most significant event in the royal family’s calendar.”
The 42-year-old princess has only made a handful of public appearances since last January, when she underwent abdominal surgery.
Kate Middleton: A timeline of her cancer diagnosis, surgery and absence from public duties
A few months later, in March, Kate announced she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
Kate has not revealed what type of cancer she was diagnosed with, but said in September that she had completed treatment.
Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales and Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales attend “The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance” at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Nov. 9, 2024.
Chris J. Ratcliffe, Pool via Reuters
On Oct. 10, Kate stepped out for her first public engagement since announcing the end of her treatment, joining William in Southport, England.
William is attending the Remembrance events this year having just returned from a solo visit to South Africa, where he spoke candidly about the difficulties of the past year for his family.
In addition to Kate, William’s father, King Charles III, also was diagnosed with cancer.
Prince William says past year has been his ‘hardest’ with King Charles, Kate Middleton facing cancer
“Honestly, it’s been dreadful,” William told reporters, describing the stress of the past year. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
