What we know as Kate makes first public appearance after finishing chemotherapy
Kate joined the Prince of Wales and the King and Queen at church in Balmoral.
The Princess of Wales has been seen in public for the first time since confirming she has completed her cancer treatment.
Kate and husband the Prince of Wales joined the King and Queen at church in Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, on Sunday (22 September).
The appearance comes after the princess confirmed in a deeply personal video that she planned to return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy course.
Her video message was narrated over images showing her, the Prince of Wales and their children walking through woods with the couple shown cuddling and holding hands.
In the video, Kate said: “Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.”
Read more below or click links to skip ahead
> Kate's return to public life
> The Princess of Wales’s message in full
What we know
Kate was seen at Balmoral with the King and Queen, and husband William, in her first public appearance since finishing her cancer treatment.
While receiving treatment, Kate had been undertaking some work behind the scenes, meeting with her staff and representatives from the centre but these were not officially recorded.
On Tuesday, she was listed in the official record of royal events for the first time since her cancer treatment ended.
She was also featured in the Court Circular after holding a meeting at Windsor Castle about an issue that aides in the past have described as her life’s work – the early years development of children.
In the previous video statement about her treatment, the princess said she had "finally" finished chemotherapy after an "incredibly tough" nine months. But she said there was a “long” way to go before she has fully recovered.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus," she said. "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
Watch: Princess of Wales announces she has finished chemotherapy
Kate said in the statement that she was planning to make more public appearances, having attended two public events after revealing her diagnosis in March.
The message was the latest of a small number of official statements in recent months concerning her health.
On 17 January, Kensington Palace said she had been admitted to The London Clinic to undergo abdominal surgery the day before and planned to stay in the private hospital for 10-14 days and that a full recovery would take up to three months.
After leaving hospital on 29 January, Kate remained out of public view until she was pictured in paparazzi shots near Windsor Castle wearing dark sunglasses in the passenger seat of a car.
A picture released by the palace on 10 March - the first since her surgery - then sparked a global furore after the princess confirmed she had "manipulated" it in the editing process.
On 22 March, amid a whirlwind of unfounded social media rumours seeking to explain her ongoing absence from public life, she announced she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in an emotional video message. She described the “huge shock” after tests had identified cancer following her abdominal surgery.
The next significant update came in a written statement released on 14 June in which she said she was experiencing "good days and bad days", adding: “I am not out of the woods yet.” Cancer charities praised her “thoughtful words” that they said would “resonate” with many.
What we don't know
The video statement released by Kensington Palace was the most significant since June. However, in keeping with previous updates, Kate had chosen to keep private the full details of her health difficulties.
It is not known what type of cancer Kate was diagnosed with, how serious the condition was following the initial diagnosis, or how advanced the cancer was. Most types of cancer have four stages, stage 4 being the most serious.
After revealing her diagnosis earlier this year, Kensington Palace said: "We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do."
It is not known when Kate found out she had cancer, only that it was discovered during abdominal surgery – Kensington Palace has also not divulged the details of that initial operation.
It is also not known if any further treatment is required, with Kate having said "my path to healing and full recovery is long".
And while Kate was spotted at Balmoral, it is not known yet what other public engagements she plans to undertake.
Kate's return to public life
Before Sunday, the Princess of Wales was last seen publicly in July, when she attended the Wimbledon tennis championships for the men’s singles final alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and sister, Pippa Middleton.
Prior to that, she was seen at Trooping the Colour in June, three months after revealing her diagnosis.
While it is unclear which events Kate may attend going forward, it has been reported she could “potentially” attend Remembrance Sunday alongside other members of the Royal Family in November.
She has also hosted a Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey every year since 2021, and may have plans to continue this tradition, which would make it her fourth consecutive concert.
Kate has also been known to mark World Mental Health Day, which falls on 10 October, as well as the Royal Variety Performance, an annual fundraising event for the Royal Variety Charity that will take place on 22 November.
In addition to public duties, the princess may also be keen to return to supporting her favourite charities, many of which are focused on early childhood. These include The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Action for Children and The Foundling Museum.
The Princess of Wales’s message in full
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.
“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus.
“Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.
“Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time.
"Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”
