After missing the Royal Ascot in June, Kate Middleton has made a heartfelt return to the public eye, offering an honest reflection on the difficult reality of life after cancer treatment.

A Difficult Journey

Kate, 43, first revealed her cancer diagnosis last March following surgery, and began a course of preventative chemotherapy. In a deeply personal message, she shared her determination to focus on healing and recovery.

Nine months later, she announced the end of her chemotherapy and the beginning of her recovery journey, gradually stepping back into her royal duties.

In October, the Princess of Wales made her first public appearance after treatment, joining Prince William in visiting families affected by the Southport attacks. In January, she carried out her first solo engagement since treatment — a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London — where she thanked the medical team and confirmed she was in remission.

On 2 July, Kate visited Colchester Hospital’s wellbeing garden, where she planted a rose named ‘Catherine’s Rose’ in support of cancer recovery initiatives. This was her first public outing since missing the Royal Ascot on 18 June.

During the visit, she spoke candidly about the emotional challenges of recovery following chemotherapy.

“The Phase After Treatment Is Really, Really Difficult”

“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment,” Kate said. “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 explained that even after treatment ends, many patients feel lost — no longer under the care of medical teams but also not quite able to resume normal life.

“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” she shared. “And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”

Finding a “New Normal”

Kate, who shares three children — Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7) — with Prince William, described the experience as life-changing not just for the patient, but for their entire family.

“You have to find your new normal and that takes time… and it’s a rollercoaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be,” she said. “But the reality is you go through hard times.”

Next week, Kate is expected to join the royal family in welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron during their state visit to the UK. The couple will stay at Windsor Castle and be honored at a state banquet at the historic royal residence in Berkshire.