Early 2024 saw the British royal family rocked by news of serious health issues. Buckingham Palace announced on Jan. 17, 2024, that King Charles III was scheduled to undergo hospital treatment the following week for an enlarged prostate. The next day, his wife, Queen Camilla, said Charles was feeling “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work.”

That same day, Kensington Palace revealed in a statement that the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, had undergone abdominal surgery that had been scheduled the day prior at London Clinic. It said the surgery had been “successful” and that the princess would remain at the hospital for a 10–14-day recovery period.

News of the pair’s hospitalization led to an outpouring of well wishes and support from their supporters across the world. However, things turned out to be as saddening as could have been expected.

In February 2024, it was revealed that King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. Following that, the public became very interested in knowing how Kate had been doing after she hadn’t been seen publicly for some time. After weeks of speculation, Kate squashed the rumors and appeared in a tearful video announcing her own cancer diagnosis.

Meanwhile, Prince William has also taken the time to be by his family’s side following the announcement of Kate’s condition. Only on April 18, 2024, did he return to public duty, where he was met with crowds wishing the king and Kate well. On that same day, William made a moving promise to a local woman who wanted to give Kate and King Charles a well-wishes card. Keep reading to learn more about how William and Kate are navigating this challenging time.

As Charles and Kate took time off from their royal duties, other family members, particularly their spouses Queen Camilla and Prince William, stepped up in their absence. With the support of their loved ones, Charles and Kate were given the time and space to prioritize their recovery. Facing their health challenges together, they have also comforted each other.

After news of her hospitalization broke, the public also expressed their sympathies and concerns for Kate, even writing letters to her. Among them was social media user @AllemarieHoll1, who recounted her surprise at receiving a response from Kensington Palace after sending Kate a get well soon letter.

“Today I received this beautiful acknowledgement and I can honestly say I shall treasure this my entire life,” the user shared alongside a photo of a “Thank You” note from the Waleses’ office. “The envelope has Kensington Palace on the back lol hubby thought he was going to have to get his suit out for a garden party (silly him) but he is just as blown away as I am to received this beautiful, and much treasured card,” the user wrote.

Many commended the princess for her thoughtful response, prompting the user to remark that it “made me feel even more emotional.”

Broadcaster Kate Garraway said she also received a letter of condolences from the princess after the passing of her husband, television host Derek Draper, from COVID-19 complications.

“Catherine and William sent a beautiful letter, and I know Catherine has been in hospital herself,” she said, adding, “it was lovely of them to reach out to me.”

With more optimistic news surrounding Kate’s health being reported, some have started to wonder whether she could, even as she continues her cancer treatment, return to some public-facing duties soon.

Some experts raised the prospect of Kate returning to her duties earlier than expected. Royal correspondent Cameron Walker said due to “the princess’s cancer diagnosis, she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy at the moment,” but suggested the princess may feel up to the task of taking on a few appearances should she feel like it.

“What I am hearing from those close to the Princess is that she may well decide to attend certain events if she feels up to it, and if she’s keen to go,” Walker said.

However, he dismissed the likelihood of Kate resuming the full extent of her duties any time soon.

“But in terms of a return to full-scale public duties and as a full-time working royal, I suspect that will take some time,” he remarked.

Despite this, Walker remained optimistic about seeing the princess up and back on her feet as soon as her doctors allowed her.

“But perhaps, maybe we’ll see her at some point this summer. But it just honestly depends on how her treatment goes.”

A Kensington Palace official confirmed, as reported by Express, that Kate wouldn’t be reappearing to resume her royal duties so soon after Easter Sunday. The spokesperson shared: “The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.”

In light of Kate’s health diagnosis, her and Prince William’s silence on social media has become noticeable, with some insiders speculating that they might break an important annual royal tradition of releasing a photo of Prince Louis on his birthday, given that she’s in recovery.

However, the royal couple delivered by gifting the nation with a dashing photo of Prince Louis showing his pearly whites.

In recent years, it had been a tradition for Kensington Palace to release photos of William and Kate’s children to the press the day before their birthdays. This year, however, the Wales’ bucked this tradition by releasing a photo of Louis on his 6th birthday via social media on the day itself.