Kate Middleton is ‘not back to normal’ but there are signs of ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, a family friend claims

The Princess of Wales ‘is not back to normal’ but there are signs of ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, a family friend has told US-magazine People.

‘She won’t be going back to work in the same way for a long time’, an insider said to the publication, while a source close to the palace added: ‘She is focused on herself and her family right now, rightly.’

It comes after fans caught a glimpse of Kate, 42, when the future queen was joined by members of the royal family and dozens of special guests to record her fourth ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service last week.

Speaking to guests at the concert, the mother-of-three movingly said that she ‘didn’t know’ what 2024 had in store for her at last year’s carol service as she arrived to host the annual event at Westminster Abbey. 

This time last year Kate was focusing on her work and children, and looking forward to the festive season with little inclination of what was to come.

Weeks later she underwent abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo a gruelling course of preventative chemotherapy. 

Kate and Prince William found their lives turned upside down. But now, having completed her treatment, the princess is beginning to return to public duties.

However, Robert Hardman, author of The Making of a King: Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, warned that fans shouldn’t expect too much, too soon. 

He told the magazine: ‘We are being encouraged not to look at this as a chapter that’s over and then it’s back to normal, because cancer doesn’t work like that… there’s no sense of trying to gloss over the reality that it’s an unpredictable disease.’ 

The Princess announced in March that she had embarked on a course of preventative chemotherapy treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease after major abdominal surgery in January. 

In September she revealed that this had now been completed but warned that it would take time and patience for her to return to full-time royal duties. 

Last Friday, the Princess held her fourth ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service, which will be televised by ITV on Christmas Eve, at historic Westminster Abbey.

Kate was joined by her husband the Prince of Wales and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, to host her concert.

It was the first time the Wales family had been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King’s birthday parade, in June. 

Kate was also accompanied by the wider Middleton family, from supportive mother Carole to sister Pippa, 41, and brother James, 37.

The princess, who has been ‘hands on’ over every aspect of the service and held regular planning meetings at Windsor, arrived on her own at 4pm to view the abbey and oversee last minute arrangements before walking around to greet other guests. 

When singer Paloma Faith expressed sympathy for the princess, who this year underwent chemotherapy, Kate replied: ‘I didn’t know this time last year it was going to be the year I’ve just had.

She went on: ‘The unplanned… but I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times and many who are here today…’ 

Kate put on an elegant display in an Alexander McQueen red coat, featuring a statement black bow, which she teamed with her black Ralph Lauren boots for the occasion.

Both Prince George and Prince Louis were wearing festive red ties to match their mother’s outfit, while Princess Charlotte had on a red coat. 

The entire Middleton family clan, who have been Kate’s dedicated support network throughout, was also present, as were other members of the Royal Family, including Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and the Duchess of Edinburgh. 

Pregnant Beatrice was joined by her husband Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf Mapelli Mozzi. 

Other royal guests included the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Gabriella Windsor and Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret’s daughter.

The King and Queen, however, were not amongst the guests. Her father-in-law has, however, donated Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park to decorate the building, which will later be donated to the local community.

Looking typically stylish for the outing, Kate completed her festive ensemble with a red check skirt, her Mulberry Amberley Baroque Pearl Earrings and a £110 Gold Plated bangle by British brand Halcyon Days.

The bangle is thought to have been a birthday present from Prince William in 2020, and features a subtle nod to Princess Diana as it’s called ‘the Salamander Torque Forget-Me-Not & Gold Bangle ‘ – named after the late royal’s favourite flower.

The princess, who married Prince William in 2011 and attended the late Queen’s funeral in 2022 at the abbey, said that the building held ‘so many memories’ for her.

While seeming to talk about the soloists from the Royal Ballet who performed during the service, Kate said that she had enlisted Prince Louis, six, to keep it a surprise for her daughter Princess Charlotte, nine.

Speaking to Paloma Faith, Kate said she asked Louis: ‘Can you keep a secret otherwise it won’t be a surprise for Charlotte, who loves her ballet dancing?’

She said that Louis agreed. ‘He has kept the secret for, what, nearly two weeks now.’ ‘Very challenging,’ said Paloma.

‘For a six-year-old,’ replied Kate. ‘And then this morning he said “Mummy, please can I tell her – I’m bursting.” I did drop off and he really wanted to tell her. I think – hopefully – he’s kept it.’

Charlotte later looked thrilled as she saw the ballet dancers, suggesting her younger brother had been good to his word.