“Kate Middleton ‘Not Back to Normal,’ But Family Friend Says ‘There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel'”

Kate Middleton is taking a thoughtful and gradual approach to her return to public life following her cancer recovery. The Princess of Wales, 42, made an appearance with her family on December 6 to host her fourth annual Christmas carol service, but she’s not rushing to resume her full royal schedule.

A source close to the palace shared with People that Kate is prioritizing her health and family during this time. Though she has not fully recovered, former Queen Elizabeth press secretary Ailsa Anderson remarked that each public appearance shows Kate is progressively looking better.

Her more recent outings, such as attending the state visit of the Amir of Qatar alongside Prince William on December 3, demonstrate her measured reemergence into royal duties, rather than a return to a full calendar of engagements.

Since announcing the conclusion of her chemotherapy in a video on September 9, Kate has emphasized her careful, step-by-step recovery process. She described the cancer journey as “complex” and “scary,” noting that her recovery path would take time and she must continue to take things one day at a time.

An insider commented that Kate won’t be returning to her previous level of work anytime soon, as she remains focused on her health and healing.

Friends and sources close to Kate Middleton say that her experience with cancer has significantly shifted her perspective, both at home and in her approach to royal duties.

“She is very much in control of her return to public life. She is doing what works best for her,” says royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith.

A source close to the royal household adds, “Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”

The insider also noted, “You can’t go through something like that and come out the other side unchanged. She is a different person now.”

Behind the scenes, plans are being carefully considered for the future of the royal family, with Kate increasingly aware of her and William’s evolving roles, especially in light of King Charles’ ongoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

A clear sign of their future responsibilities came on Dec. 7, when William attended the official reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on behalf of his father. During this visit, he also met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. After their half-hour discussion, Trump shared, “I asked him about his wife, and he said she’s doing well. And I asked him about his father, and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father, and he loves his wife, so it was sad.”

A close source adds, “Their circumstances will eventually change. Given what the future holds, it would be very sensible to build back slowly and prioritize family time.”

The public has seen Kate only a handful of times this year. And she likely won’t return to her previous intensity — she took on 128 engagements in 2023 — in the coming year. The palace has cautioned that decisions about 2025 will be taken in line with medical advice. During a solo visit to Cape Town for his Earthshot Prize in November, William intimated that he hoped Kate would join him on trips abroad next year.

“She will probably continue to be strategic about how often she appears in public, and people shouldn’t hold it against her if she is doing less next year,” says Bedell Smith. “The important thing is she will be pacing herself. She will do what she’s able to do and pursue things she feels passionate about.”

Adds Anderson: “She is a member of the royal family but also a wife, mother and daughter. Don’t expect too much— she’s a person going through something horrific.”

The general sentiment is that when Kate does make public appearances, it will likely be alongside William, attending events he was already scheduled to be at, as well as major royal occasions.

“They can’t raise people’s expectations with numerous engagements only for her to experience a setback, not feel well, and have things canceled,” explains Ailsa Anderson. “The strategy of making an unexpected appearance gives her flexibility, so she doesn’t feel the pressure of having to show up.”

Kate has been easing into family routines, balancing the activities of Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and 6-year-old Prince Louis. She’s also been cheering them on at their sports events while getting ready for the holiday season. The family is set to spend Christmas at Sandringham with King Charles, participating in the royal celebrations and, hopefully, joining the traditional walk to and from church.

As Kate gradually returns to public life, her journey will not be a simple one. “We are being encouraged not to view this as a chapter that’s over and done with, then it’s back to normal, because cancer doesn’t work like that,” says Robert Hardman, author of The Making of a King: Charles III and the Modern Monarchy. “The details remain private, but there’s no attempt to downplay the unpredictable nature of the disease.”

Her inner circle concurs, with one family friend noting that while she “is not back to normal,” there are indications of “light at the end of the tunnel.”

A second source close to the royal household shares, “She has to regain control of it. And she will, as long as she is given the space to work through it on her own.”