Timeline of Kate Middletons road to recovery: From emotional cancer announcement in unprecedented video address to hosting first official work meeting after finishing chemo
The Princess of Wales has been listed in the official record of royal events for the first time since her cancer treatment ended.
The Princess of Wales has been listed in the official record of royal events for the first time since her cancer treatment ended.
Kate Middleton was featured in the Court Circular after holding a meeting at Windsor Castle about the early years development of children.
It was only the third time she has been mentioned in the official record of royal engagements since her health scare began at the start of the year.
And it comes just over a week after she announced the completion of her chemotherapy treatment in a deeply personal video with her family.
The Princess had been receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February, with the King beginning his cancer care earlier that month.
While receiving treatment, Kate had been undertaking some work behind the scenes and meeting with her staff, but these were not officially recorded.
Here is a timeline of events this year which have led up to Kates return to work:
Kate told of her renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life on September 9 in a video message after finishing chemotherapy
– Tuesday January 16
Kate is secretly admitted to The London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery. She attends the clinic rather than King Edward VIIs Hospital, which is usually the go-to establishment for royal family medical matters.
– Wednesday January 17
Kensington Palace announces the princesss operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days. She is not expected to return to duties until after Easter, taking up to three months to recover.
The Prince of Wales steps back from his official duties temporarily to care for his wife and children.
The exact nature of Kates condition is kept private, but it is not cancerous and Kensington Palace says the planned procedure was successful. A source later says the princess is doing well.
– Thursday January 18
The Prince of Wales spends time at his wifes bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit. A serious-looking William is seen leaving the The London Clinic at about 12.35pm.
A serious-looking Prince William leaves the The London Clinic on January 18 after visiting Kate
– Tuesday January 23
Kates hospital stay passes the one-week mark.
– Friday January 26
The King visits the Princess of Wales after he is admitted to The London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
– Monday January 29
Kate leaves the clinic to continue her recovery at home.
– Monday February 5
Kensington Palace confirms the Prince of Wales is returning to official duties that week, beginning with an investiture.
Buckingham Palace announces the King has a form of cancer, but not prostate cancer, and has started treatment as an outpatient.
He will not carry out public-facing duties, but will carry on with behind-the-scenes state business and official papers, the Palace says.
– Wednesday February 7
William thanks the public for their kind messages of support after the King announced his cancer diagnosis, while also recognising those who wished Kate well as she recovered from planned abdominal surgery.
– Monday March 4
The princess is photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery. Kate is pictured in paparazzi shots near Windsor Castle wearing dark sunglasses in the passenger seat of a car, which was being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.
– Tuesday March 5
The Army removes a claim on its website that the princess was reviewing Trooping the Colour in June. Tickets were being sold on the official website for the June 8 military event, advertising an appearance by Kate.
On March 5, the Army removed a claim on its website that the princess was reviewing Trooping the Colour in June. Tickets were being sold on the website, advertising an appearance by Kate
– Sunday March 10
Questions are raised that the first picture of the princess to be released after her abdominal surgery may have been manipulated before it was posted on social media by Kensington Palace.
The photo of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by William in Windsor earlier in the week, was celebrating Mothers Day.
In the post, Kate said: Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. C.
The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.
The photograph, shared with the media, is withdrawn by international picture agencies later the same day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.
Kate publicly took the blame for the manipulated Mothers Day photograph issued on March 12
– Monday March 11
Kate publicly takes the blame for the manipulated photograph and issues a personal apology for the confusion.
Kate says: Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mothers Day. C.
– Saturday March 16
The princess is filmed smiling with her husband during a visit to a farm shop in Windsor.
– Tuesday March 19
An investigation is launched at The London Clinic over claims staff tried to access the princess private medical records. At least one member of staff allegedly tried to access Kates notes while she was a patient at the hospital in January.
The UK privacy and data protection watchdog says it has received a breach report.
– Friday March 22
Kate announces she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in an emotional video message.
She describes the huge shock after tests identified cancer following her abdominal surgery and the incredibly tough couple of months her family has experienced.
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, she adds
Kate announces she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in a video message on March 22
– Thursday April 18
William, who had spent the previous three and a half weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays, returns to public work.
He visits Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, in Sunbury-on-Thames, and then a youth centre in west London.
– Friday May 10
William gives a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly, saying shes doing well.
– Wednesday June 5
The prince chats to a veteran at a D-Day commemorative event in Portsmouth, and appears to suggest Kate is getting better, adding: Shed love to be here today.
Prince William speaks at an event to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth, at which he appeared to suggest Kate was getting better, adding: Shed love to be here today
– Saturday June 8
The Princess of Wales writes a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute, and wishes them luck for The Colonels Review in London.
– Friday June 14
Kate issues a written message saying she is making good progress and has good days and bad days, adding: I am not out of the woods yet.
She confirms she will attend Trooping the Colour and that she hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer as she continues treatment for a few more months.
A new photograph of the royal, taken earlier the same week in the grounds of the Windsor Castle estate, shows Kate stood in a tranquil setting against a weeping willow tree near a body of water.
– Saturday June 15
The princess looks relaxed during her first day in the spotlight following her cancer diagnosis at the traditional Trooping ceremony.
She takes part in the carriage procession and joins the royal family including George, Charlotte and Louis on the Palace balcony.
Kate with her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to view the flypast following the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 15
– Sunday July 14
Kate presents the Wimbledon mens final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, in her second public engagement since her diagnosis.
The princess, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, is accompanied by her daughter Charlotte and chats to ball boys and girls and enters Centre Court to loud applause.
The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte in the royal box at Wimbledon on July 14
– Sunday August 11
William, sporting a beard, and Kate appear in a video message congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics, with a compilation of messages from celebrities including Snoop Dogg and David Beckham.
– Sunday August 25
Kate joins William, and the King and Queen at Crathie Church, near Balmoral Castle, in Scotland during a summer break in the Scottish Highlands.
– Friday September 6
The princess says she is looking forward to working with the UKs new chief scout, Dwayne Fields. A personal welcome message from Kate, who is joint president of the Scout Association, was posted on the Waleses official social media account.
– Sunday September 8
Reports say Kate is hoping to join the royal family at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and host her Christmas carol concert.
– Monday September 9
The Princess of Wales says she has finished chemotherapy and is looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months but adds her focus is on doing what I can to stay cancer free.
She shares a video montage of precious family time spent with William and her children over the summer.
In a personal message, Kate says although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long. She adds: To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.
A video was released on September 9 as Kate revealed she had completed her chemotherapy
- Tuesday September 10
William describes the end of Kates chemotherapy treatment as good news during a solo trip to Llanelli in South Wales, but adds that his wife still has a long way to go.
- Tuesday September 17
Kate is listed in the official record of royal events for the first time since her cancer treatment ended.
She features in the Court Circular after holding a meeting at Windsor Castle about an issue that aides in the past have described as her lifes work – the early years development of children.
Kate is joined by her household team and staff from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, the organisation she established to promote the issue and conduct research.
