LONDON — Catherine, Duchess of Wales, gave a rare health update Friday, saying in a statement that she is still undergoing chemotherapy for an undisclosed type of cancer and has several months of treatment left but is “recovering well.” She also announced her first formal return to public life, as she is known, Princess Kate.
In a statement she also posted on social media, the princess said she would join her family on Saturday in a major military parade to mark King Charles III's birthday.
Kate was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and has not been seen in public since March as she undergoes what she described as “preventive” chemotherapy. Her agency did not provide details about her condition, but said she would not return to work until given the go-ahead by her medical team.
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Although she was spotted visiting a farm stand with her husband in early March, just weeks before announcing her cancer diagnosis, Saturday will be her first public appearance since she was hospitalized in January for abdominal surgery, during which the cancer was discovered.
“We're not out of the woods yet,” Kate said in a statement on Friday. “I've been so touched by the many messages of support and encouragement I've received over the past few months, which have made a real difference to William and me and helped us both get through this difficult time.”
Kensington Palace released new photos of Kate alongside a statement on Friday, which it said were taken earlier this week at the royal residence in Windsor, west London.
A photograph released by Kensington Palace on June 14, 2024 shows Kate Middleton at the royal family's Windsor House in west London. Matt Porteous/Courtesy of the Prince and Princess of Wales
“I am recovering well but as anyone undergoing chemotherapy knows, there are good days and bad days. On the bad days I feel weak and tired and all I can do is rest. But on the good days I feel better and I want to make the most of it,” she said.
Kate said she had been working from home and it was understood she planned to take on some more work if she felt well.
Kate did not attend the Colonel's Parade last Saturday, the official dress rehearsal for the annual flag procession to mark the British monarch's official birthday – a tradition that dates back to the 18th century and does not coincide with Prince Charles' actual birthday in November, when he is 75.
Kate is an honorary colonel of the Irish Guards, and the regiment shared a letter of advance apology on social media in late May for missing the parade rehearsal.
91 Royal Photos of Prince William and Kate
“Being a colonel is a great honor to me and I am deeply disappointed that I will not be able to receive the salute at this year's review,” she wrote in the letter. “Please convey my apologies to the entire regiment, but I hope to be able to represent you all again in the near future.”
Kate's father-in-law, King Charles III, was also diagnosed with a mysterious cancer earlier this year and is undergoing treatment. The monarch said he will gradually return to official duties and attend the flag-raising ceremony, but will march in a carriage rather than a horse.
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