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Prince William and Kate Middleton walking in Soho© Getty

Telling sign Princess Kate's recovery is going well as Prince William makes big decision

Princess Kate is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after her cancer diagnosis

Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
May 8, 2024
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The Princess of Wales' recovery appears to be on track as she continues with her treatment and recuperation at home in Windsor following her cancer diagnosis in March

Since the start of the year, Prince William has modified his diary to help support his wife Kate and their three young children; Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis

Kate Middleton visits Nottingham Trent University© Getty
Princess Kate is undergoing preventative chemotherapy

In a telling sign that Princess Kate is making progress with her health, Kensington Palace recently confirmed Prince William, 41, will engage in two public engagements which will see him leave Windsor for one night. 

On Thursday, the royal will make his first official visit to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly since becoming Duke of Cornwall.

For the first part of his trip, William will visit the site where the Duchy of Cornwall's first homeless housing project will be built, in Nansleden, Newquay. The project, delivered alongside Cornish charity St Petrocs, will provide 24 homes with wraparound support for homeless people. 

Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Platinum Pageant on June 5, 2022 in London, England© Max Mumby/Indigo
Prince William has been supporting his wife Kate and their three children during this unprecedented time for the family

The dad-of-three will then visit Fistral Beach, where he will meet organisations who take care of it. 

On Friday, Prince Wiliam will travel to the Isles of Scilly to St Mary's harbour, which is run by the Duchy, and handles passengers and vessels. He will spend time with harbour operators before paying a visit to St Mary’s Community Hospital. 

Since the announcement, it has been reported that the Prince of Wales will carry out more engagements before his children go on summer holiday in July and August. 

Timeline of Princess Kate's surgery and health updates

Close-up of Kate Middleton wearing a blazer© Getty
Kate went in for abdominal surgery on 17 January

25 December 2023 – Kate is last seen publicly on Christmas Day

9 January 2024 – Kate celebrates her 42nd birthday, with the King and Queen sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the coronation to mark the day.

11 January 2024 – William returns to royal duties, meeting rugby heroes Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

17 January 2024 – Kensington Palace announces in a statement that Kate has undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic and that William has temporarily stepped back from royal duties to care for Kate and their children.

18 January 2024 – William visits Kate at the London Clinic.

26 January 2024 – King Charles visits Kate in hospital before undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

29 January 2024 – Kate is discharged from hospital and returns home to Windsor to continue her recovery. King Charles also leaves the London Clinic on the same day after his treatment.

7 February 2024 – William resumes royal duties attending London's Air Ambulance Charity gala with Tom Cruise.

10 February 2024 – William and Kate spend February half-term with George, Charlotte and Louis at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. Kate's siblings are also pictured on holiday during the school holidays, with James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet flying to the Caribbean with baby Inigo, and Pippa Matthews and her family holidaying on the island of St Barts.

27 February 2024 – Kate said to be "doing well" as William pulls out of King Constantine memorial due to a "personal matter".

29 February 2024 – Kensington Palace addresses social media speculation, reiterating: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter."

10 March 2024 - A photograph of Kate with their three children at home in Windsor is released to mark Mother's Day and to thank the public for their "continued support".

11 March 2024 - Kate publicly apologises for the "confusion" around the photograph as she admitted she "occasionally experiments with editing," after news agencies pulled the image amid claims it had been digitally altered. The Princess is then seen in a car with William as she's driven to a private appointment in London. 

19 March 2024 - Footage of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop is shared by The Sun and TMZ in the first video sighting of the Princess since surgery.

22 March 2024 - Princess Kate confirms that she has been diagnosed with cancer in a moving video message and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy. 

18 April 2024 - Prince William returns to royal duties after spending Easter holidays privately as a family. 

10 May 2024 - Prince William says Kate is "doing well" as he visits the Isles of Scilly. 

21 May 2024 - Princess Kate is "excited" as Kensington Palace shares update on her early years work with the release of her Business Taskforce's prioritising childhood report.

8 June 2024 - Princess Kate writes letter to Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take part in the salute at the Colonel's Review.

14 June 2024 - In a personal statement, Kate shares she is making "good progress" and that her "treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months". 

15 June 2024 - Kate makes her first major public appearance since diagnosis at Trooping the Colour.

14 July 2024 - Kate watches the Men's final at Wimbledon with Princess Charlotte and Pippa Matthews.

11 August 2024 - William and Kate congratulate Team GB athletes in a video message after the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

9 September 2024 - Kate confirms she's completed chemotherapy in moving video message.

10 October 2024 - Kate joins William on visit to bereaved families in Southport.

9/10 November 2024 - Princess attends Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Day service at Cenotaph.

3 December 2024 - Kate greets Emir of Qatar alongside William during state visit.

According to The Times, Prince William plans to "increase his diary of public engagements over the next two months". It is also understood that Prince William has no plans to see his brother Prince Harry when he is in London on Wednesday, and will instead be in Windsor to conduct an investiture.

Updates on Princess Kate's health have been sparse since she announced she was receiving preventative chemotherapy in March. At the time, the royal appealed for "some time, space and privacy" while she completes her treatment. Watch below...

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Princess Kate reveals cancer diagnosis

On 22 March, the Princess announced her diagnosis in a moving video message, saying to the camera: "This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.

LISTEN: The hard work being undertaken by the royals

"But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

"As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. 

Prince William laughing© Getty
Prince William has continued doing public engagements

"Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both." 

Prince William has since given small updates on Kate during his few public engagements, assuring royal watchers that is "looking after" the Princess. Last week, the royal was asked about the well-being of Kate and their children, to which, he reassuringly responded: "All doing well."

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