Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has recently appeared on social media to share her ongoing work with young farmers, but she is not yet ready to return to her full royal duties. The 42-year-old royal has mostly stayed out of the spotlight since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Despite this, royal correspondent Cameron Walker reports that Middleton continues to be actively engaged in her charity work. “This should not be considered a return to work for the Princess of Wales, but I have been informed she has reviewed the report and been briefed on it,” Walker told the media. The report, focused on the mental health struggles of young farmers, highlights the continuation of Middleton’s efforts even as she recovers.
Middleton’s work with mental health and addiction issues has been a significant part of her role since she became a working member of the Royal Family. “What she found is all of these issues tend to stem from a poor start in life, particularly the first five years of a child’s life,” Walker added.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a video on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 highlighting the psychological challenges young farmers face. While Middleton does not appear in the video, she and Prince William, 41, were involved in its production. The project is believed to have begun before her diagnosis, with her reportedly being the driving force behind it.
Christian Guy, the executive director of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, stated that Middleton remains passionate about the campaign. “The early years campaign is rolling on as she recovers. She was excited by the foundation’s campaign and continues to stay updated on its progress,” Guy said.
Kate Middleton’s health issues came to light in March when she shared that doctors discovered the cancer during a planned abdominal surgery in January. Following this surgery, she began a course of preventative chemotherapy. “In January, I had major abdominal surgery in London, which initially was believed to be for a noncancerous condition,” the princess announced. “However, post-surgery tests revealed the presence of cancer. As a result, my medical team recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am currently in the early stages of this treatment.”
Prince William has been a pillar of support for his wife during this challenging time. In public engagements, he has reassured well-wishers about her condition. “All doing well ― thank you. Yes, we’re doing well,” he told a concerned citizen during a walkabout in April.
Despite her health challenges, Middleton remains committed to her causes, particularly those involving early childhood development. The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she founded in 2021, continues to drive awareness and action on the transformative impact of children’s early years. The latest report from the foundation calls for increased business investment in early childhood support, highlighting potential long-term economic benefits such as boosted productivity and reduced long-term healthcare costs.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace clarified that Middleton would not return to her royal duties until her medical team cleared her. “The princess will not resume her duties until her medical team approves,” they told the media. “Her focus on early childhood development will remain a key aspect of her public work.”
While the public eagerly awaits her return, Middleton’s dedication to her charitable work remains unwavering. Even from behind the scenes, her involvement continues to make a significant impact.
