Kate Middleton Was Reportedly Ill ‘Far Longer’ Than People Realize

Kate Middleton‘s unexpected year filled with health issues was something the public became aware of on Jan. 17. The palace told fans to expect her to return to her royal duties around Easter after a “planned abdominal surgery,” but the story and timeline didn’t seem to add up. Once she revealed that she was undergoing treatment for cancer, everyone realized how serious the situation was.

Now, new information reported by the Daily Mail seems to indicate that the Princess of Wales was not feeling well even at the end of 2023. “I don’t think people realize how much she has gone through behind the scenes and for how long, far longer than anyone actually appreciates,” a source explained. “She’s an incredibly strong woman, but she really has been through the wars. Her treatment and recovery is still a priority and will be ongoing for some time to come.”

While royal fans have marveled over how fabulous Kate has looked at her two appearances this summer, Trooping the Colour and the Wimbledon men’s singles final, the palace insider cautioned that Kate is “not at that stage yet” for a full royal calendar. A second source asked for the public to be patient with her recovery. “Her continuing treatment is the key issue for her personally and for them all as a family,” they noted. “For anyone, there is a lot of physical recovery after treatment finishes. It’s not like flipping a switch.”

There are rumors that Kate will travel to New York City with Prince William for the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit on Sept. 24. A Life & Style insider believes she’s ready to have a major fashion moment while the Prince of Wales promotes his passion project. “She plans to work with at least two stylists, so she has a good range of choices,” they said. However, a trip overseas sounds like a lot for someone still undergoing treatment, and we know her Paris Olympics visit never panned out. 

For now, fans should expect what The Telegraph described as “under-promising and over-delivering” when it comes to her work calendar. The palace hopes to continue with its strategy of offering “a powerful emotional message, a surprise photograph, and a full-scale outing to come that no one would have expected her to manage” from time to time. Still, this addition to Kate’s health timeline shows how serious her issues were behind the scenes.

Before you go, click here to see all of Kate Middleton’s best hair looks as a royal.