How the Princess of Wales is making a slow return to the spotlight – from her first Early Years meeting in nine months to visiting Crathie Kirk church in Scotland

As one of the most senior members of the Royal Family, the Princess of Wales will typically undertake more than 100 engagements a year.

But 2024 is anything but a normal year for The Firm. Kate’s recent appearances indicate that she is slowly getting back to work after her cancer treatment.

Last weekend, the 42-year-old royal was photographed arriving with Prince William at Crathie Kirk church near Balmoral.

The Mail later revealed that the couple enjoyed a child-free getaway to the royal family’s estate in Scotland, while Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stayed in Berkshire.

The brief appearance came less than a week after the Princess of Wales held her first working meeting in more than nine months, marking the beginning of her slow and measured return to public duties.

On Tuesday, the royal family held a meeting at Windsor Castle with those involved in its Early Years project, which focuses on the crucial role the first few years of a person’s life play in adult development.

The Princess officially opened the Early Childhood Centre in 2021, but has been researching the topic for 10 years and has pledged to continue to highlight the importance of these issues for the rest of her working life.

Kate was accompanied by members of her household team and representatives from her Early Childhood Centre at Kensington Palace.

It was formally recorded in the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements, which stated: ‘The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, held a meeting for young children at Windsor this afternoon.’

It was the first meeting mentioned in the Court Circular since the Princess held a roundtable discussion of her Royal Foundation on 6 December last year.

Earlier this month, the future queen bravely announced that she has completed chemotherapy and is now “focusing on her life without cancer”, and released a touching new video of William and their three children.

In the family video, the princess told viewers that her experience with cancer has taught her to appreciate the “simple but important things in life” […] of simply loving and being loved’.

The royal then briefly indicated that she planned to return to her royal duties, acknowledging that she did not want to rush things.

She continued: ‘Although I have completed chemotherapy, the road to healing and full recovery is still long and I must take each day as it comes.

‘I look forward to getting back to work in the coming months and, when possible, making some more public appearances.

Earlier, Kate briefly appeared in an Instagram video congratulating Team GB on their Olympic achievements, which was posted on their official page.

In the short clip, Kate said: “From everyone watching at home, congratulations to Team GB.”

The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB shirt, added briefly: “Well done Team GB, you are an inspiration to us all.”

Just weeks after King Charles announced he had been diagnosed with cancer, his daughter-in-law announced in an emotional message in March that she was also being treated for the disease.

Since then, the mother of three has only been seen in public a few times, including at Trooping the Colour and the men’s singles final at Wimbledon.

Before her appearance at Trooping the Colour in June, the royal released a statement saying she hoped to perform occasionally over the summer. However, she urged the public to be patient with her because, like many cancer patients, she has “good days and bad days.”

After spending most of a year coping with the diagnosis and enduring ongoing chemotherapy, Kate relaxed as she smiled and waved to the delighted crowd, making a triumphant return to public life in a carriage procession for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Ahead of the men’s singles final at Wimbledon in July, officials remained ‘hopeful’ that Kate would feel well enough to present the trophies.

Fortunately, their hopes were proven correct and, in her role as patron of the All England Club, which hosts the tournament each year, the royal family presented Alcaraz with the championship trophy after the men’s Wimbledon final.

After they left the court following the trophy ceremony, the princess and Alcaraz had a conversation in a room in the tournament’s main stadium. “You played so well,” Kate told him. “Enjoy the victory.”

Earlier, Kate walked from the stands to the playing field to hand over the trophies and shook hands with some of the players who worked at the tournament.

Although future public appearances have not yet been announced, the Princess is reportedly hoping to attend Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.

However, she will not accompany her husband to the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Cape Town in November.