Kate Middleton is attending an important event on the royal family’s annual calendar for the first time in two years after scaling back her schedule in 2024 while undergoing treatment for cancer.
On March 6, the Princess of Wales, 43, stepped out at Westminster Abbey in London to attend the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration for the first time since 2023. She joined Prince William, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester for the commemoration, which is observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
The Princess of Wales, who wore a red dress by Catherine Walker with a bow detail and matching hat by Gina Foster, was absent from last year’s church service on March 11, 2024, as she recovered from a “planned abdominal surgery” that she underwent in January of that year. It has since been revealed that Kate began chemotherapy treatment for cancer sometime in February.
At the time, Kensington Palace stated that Princess Kate was not expected to return to public duties “until after Easter,” which fell on March 30. However, on March 22, she appeared in a video message, sharing that she had been undergoing chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer following post-operative testing.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Kate then stepped away from the spotlight for most of the year to prioritize her health. She shared in September that she completed chemotherapy and said on Jan. 14 that she is in remission. Kate appears to be returning to royal work in full force, undertaking several solo engagements and outings with Prince William since the start of the year.
“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead,” the Princess of Wales said in the January announcement about being in remission. “There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”
Her father-in-law, the King, also makes his return to the Commonwealth Day Service for the first time since 2023. The sovereign was unable to attend last March as the celebration fell just a few weeks after Buckingham Palace announced that he was diagnosed with cancer and commenced treatment.
Chris Jackson/Getty
On Feb. 5, 2024, the palace announced that the diagnosis was identified following the King’s treatment for a benign enlarged prostate in January (a spokesman clarified he does not have prostate cancer). The statement said he had been “advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” meaning he could not be at the Commonwealth commemoration that typically has about 2,000 guests.
The King followed doctors’ orders and instead sent support for the 2024 Commonwealth Service by issuing a video message in which he pledged to serve to “the best of my ability.”
Chris Jackson/Getty; JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
King Charles resumed forward-facing work last April and has been busy ever since. Palace sources said before Christmas that his treatment for cancer would continue into the new year, moving in a “positive direction” and as a “managed condition.”
“His treatment has been moving in a positive direction and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year,” sources said then.
The Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration is the royal family’s first major event of the year, held at the venue where Prince William and Princess Kate wed in 2011.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary network of 56 nations, most formerly under British rule, of which King Charles is the ceremonial head. It exists to enrich the lives of its 2.7 billion citizens.
The theme of Commonwealth Day 2025 is “Together We Thrive” to celebrate the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family. It also marks the first time that Princess Kate and the King, 76, have respectively attended the Commonwealth Day Service since 2023 after missing it last year for health-related reasons.
Read the full article here
