Kate Middleton is slowly returning to royal duties following her cancer treatment. The Princess of Wales has completed her treatment, but her full-time return to royal life is not being stressed. Still, she has been on some engagements in recent weeks, as of this weekend, together with her husband Prince William.
While Kate Middleton has focused on recovering from this very challenging period, the feud with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has loomed in the background. The Sussexes’ claims about the Royal Family have included Kate, too. Still, as of today, she has been singled out as the one with the power to reunite her husband and brother-in-law.
However, all possibilities of the Sussexes and the Royal Family making amends appear to be fading. A new report suggests that even Kate Middleton is giving up on it—primarily because of this one main reason.
Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis, which was made public in March, left royal fans worldwide in shock. The Princess of Wales had been away from public life since her abdominal surgery in January. After a lot of speculations, including the manipulated Mother’s Day picture for which Kate received hefty criticism and later apologized, she decided to tell the world about her cancer diagnosis.
Kate Middleton announced she is free from cancer
The mother-of-three underwent cancer treatment, and in April, for Trooping the Colour, she made her first public engagement since the diagnosis was revealed to the world. Although Kate Middleton has been attending some engagements, her recovery has been the most important thing and her main focus.
In early September, the Princess of Wales gave the fantastic news that she had finished chemotherapy and was now “cancer-free.”
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Kate MIddleton said in an emotional video, which also featured her family. “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 Princess of Wales continued by saying that her cancer journey has been “scary and unpredictable for everyone.” She added that it has given her “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,” Kate Middleton continued.
“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.”
She concluded by saying she would undertake “a few more” royal duties in the coming month.
Kate Middleton under “no pressure” to attend Christmas event
Kate also thanked the public for their support and sent a message to those fighting cancer.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Kate Middleton has focused on her recovery, and despite her now being cancer-free, there is no rush back to royal duty. The Princess of Wales will be attending some royal engagements in the coming months, but the most important thing is that she remains healthy and does not rush into anything.
One yearly event close to the princess’s heart is the Christmas gathering at Sandringham, including the traditional service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. A source told the Express she is “on the guest list” for this year’s Christmas gathering. However, no one will push her to be there.
“She’s keen to join her children and family to celebrate the holidays, but there’s no pressure for her to attend,” the source said. “Obviously everyone is looking forward to having her there, but if she doesn’t feel up to it on the day, the family will understand.”
Although Christmas at Sandringham will surely be a fantastic opportunity to spend time together, four family members will not be there.
Expert claims Kate Middleton was “influential” in decision to congratulate Harry on 40th birthday
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, alongside their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have no contact with the royal family. The feud between the Sussexes and the royals is at a low point, just as it has been for the last few years.
Prince Harry stated that he wouldn’t bring his wife and children to the UK unless he gets the police protection he feels they deserve, but despite his plea being denied, the Duke did not give up. Meanwhile, he hasn’t spoken to his brother for years, and while their relationship is terrible, the same unfortunately goes for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
The Duchess reached out to Kate when they found out about her cancer diagnosis, but besides that, no contact has been made.
Nothing points towards Harry and William making amends, but in the last few months, reports have suggested that Kate Middleton has been the key to any reconciliation.
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted a congratulatory message in mid-September for Harry’s 40th birthday, and royal expert Jennie Bond claimed Kate could’ve been behind it to try to get the brothers to start talking to each other.
“Landmark birthdays are often a time for taking a look at your life. This time it seems to be William who has been doing some re-evaluation. My gut feeling is that Catherine was influential in this slight softening of her husband’s implacable stand. In the film she made about the end of her chemotherapy, she told how cancer had given her a new perspective,” Bond told the Mirror.
Kate ‘abandons peacemaker’ role between Prince William and Prince Harry
Bond added that Kate Middleton could’ve “persuaded” William into thinking that “life is too short for grudges.” However, she stated that Harry and his brother’s relationship is “almost irretrievable.”
“William has so much on his plate that I don’t think he has time to deal with Harry. But first steps matter. And though the brothers may never be close again, it doesn’t mean the future has to be full of bad blood. Catherine is right. Family should always be paramount,” Bond said.
However, the claim that the Princess of Wales believes a reunion is possible is history.
According to royal expert Christopher Andersen, author of The King, Kate Middleton won’t be the one trying to mend the relationship between the royal brothers.
“The idea that Kate somehow still has the time and energy to continue playing peacemaker is rubbish,” Andersen told Fox. “She did try over a period of years and finally threw up her hands in disgust. She did her bit, but it wasn’t enough to build a bridge between William and Charles on the one side and Harry on the other.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams added that Kate Middleton is ‘done’ handling the feud between Prince Harry and William. He says she is “totally at one” with her husband.
“Harry portrayed her as cold and unwelcoming to [his wife] Meghan Markle in [his memoir] ‘Spare,’ when he painted an extremely damaging picture of the Royal Family,” Fitzwilliams told Fox. “The memoir is soon to be released in paperback and his allegations will surface again, though fortunately, he will not be adding to the volume or promoting it. He knows perfectly well how damaging it has been.”
“She is also aware that she has to be kind to herself”
“We have recently seen encouraging signs of Catherine’s recovery,” he continued. “Her focus, as she has said, is being ‘cancer free.’ The Wales family has had a tremendously difficult year. She has finished her course of preventative chemotherapy. William, while carrying out some royal engagements, has been tremendously supportive… [But] Catherine will wish to avoid anything that promotes negative energy.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly invited Harry and Meghan to the UK earlier this year, wanting them to bring their children. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have no relationship with their cousins across the Atlantic, and perhaps that’s the most important thing moving on: the family’s future.
However, British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox that even though Kate Middleton has “a strong sense of negotiation,” she won’t be prioritizing Prince Harry, but her own family instead.
“Making sure her family is well and happy is her priority,” Chard explained. “She is also aware that she has to be kind to herself. Having completed her preventative chemotherapy treatment, she is relieved to be undertaking royal duties where possible but realizes that she is not totally out of the woods.”
Helena Chard continued, “Prince Harry will want to contact Princess Catherine,” Chard claimed. “Prince Harry will be bothered by the silent treatment – and the Royal Family is aware of this.”
Prince William & Kate Middleton facing ‘Harry talks’ with their children
Although Prince William and Kate Middleton want to focus on their family, not the feud between them and the Sussexes, that could change quickly.
Prince George, at least, is old enough to remember his uncle Harry, and he and his siblings may question where the Duke is–and why he isn’t visiting them–soon.
According to royal commentator Lydia Alty, Harry was once very close to his niece and nephews. Therefore, it won’t come as a surprise if Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis start asking questions about their uncle soon, whom they last saw some years ago.
“Now that the royals have all split up and, as far as we know, not talking, this will have affected George, Charlotte and Louis,” she told GB News.
“His nephews and niece will probably be wondering why they haven’t seen their uncle and cousins.”
