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 told People magazine.

“She won’t be going to work the same way for a while,” an insider told the newspaper publicationwhile a source close to the palace added: ‘She is rightly focused on herself and her family at the moment.’

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’ song service last week.

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

This time last year, Kate focused on her work and kids, looking forward to the holidays with no idea of ​​what was to come.

Weeks later, she underwent abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors announced the news that they had found signs of cancer and recommended that she undergo a grueling preventative course of 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, cautioned that fans shouldn’t expect too much too soon.

He told the magazine: ‘We are encouraged not to see this as a chapter that’s over and then back to normal, because cancer doesn’t work that way… there’s no point in trying to gloss over the reality that it is. an unpredictable disease.’

The princess announced in March that she had started preventative chemotherapy treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease following major abdominal surgery in January.

In September she revealed this had now been completed, but warned it would take time and patience before she returns to full-time royal duties.

Last Friday, the Princess held its fourth ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service, which will be broadcast on television ITV on Christmas Eve, in the 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 joined by the wider Middleton family, from supportive mum Carole to sister Pippa, 41, and brother James, 37.

The Princess, who has kept every aspect of the service ‘hands on’ and held regular planning meetings in Windsor, arrived on her own at 4pm to tour the abbey and oversee last-minute arrangements before walking around to do other to greet guests.

When singer Paloma Faith expressed her condolences for the princess, who was undergoing chemotherapy this year, Kate replied: ‘Last year I didn’t know this would be the year I just had.

She continued, “The unplanned… but I think a lot of people have had such challenging times this year and many who are here today….”

Kate put on an elegant show in a red Alexander McQueen coat with a striking black bow, which she paired with her black Ralph Lauren boots for the occasion.

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

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

The pregnant Beatrice was accompanied by her husband, Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and her stepson Christopher Woolf Mapelli Mozzi.

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

However, the king and queen were not among the guests. However, her father-in-law has 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 checked skirt, her Mulberry Amberley baroque pearl earrings and a £110 gold-plated bracelet from British brand Halcyon Days.

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

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

As she appeared to talk about the Royal Ballet soloists performing at the service, Kate said she 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 to Charlotte, who loves her ballet dancing?’

She said Louis agreed. “He’s been keeping the secret for about two weeks now.” “Very challenging,” Paloma said.

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

Charlotte later looked excited when she saw the ballet dancers, suggesting her younger brother had kept his word.