Catherine, Princess of Wales, wife to Prince William and a prominent figure in the British Royal Family, captured global attention when she announced her cancer diagnosis in March of last year. This revelation followed weeks of heightened speculation surrounding her health and well-being, turning the spotlight intensely on the Princess and the monarchy.
The period leading up to the diagnosis was marked by significant events, including a planned abdominal surgery, a noticeable absence from public engagements, and an unexpected photo editing controversy. This timeline provides a comprehensive overview of these events, starting from Princess Kate’s last public appearance before her diagnosis to her journey through treatment and initial steps back into public life.
December 25, 2023: Last Public Appearance Before Diagnosis
Princess Kate was last seen in good health during the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas morning church service at Sandringham. She joined other royals, including Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, walking to St Mary Magdalene Church.
Princess of Wales Catherine alongside Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis leaving St Mary Magdalene Church after the Christmas Day service in Sandringham, December 25, 2023.
Princess Kate, elegantly dressed in blue, was seen interacting warmly with the public, smiling and conversing as she walked hand-in-hand with Prince William and their children on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England. This appearance offered no indication of the health challenges she was soon to face.
January 16, 2024: Admission to London Hospital
Just weeks after her Christmas appearance, Princess Kate was admitted to The London Clinic on January 16th. Kensington Palace released a statement the following day confirming her hospitalization.
January 17, 2024: Announcement of ‘Successful’ Abdominal Surgery
Kensington Palace issued a public statement on January 17th, informing the world that Princess Kate had undergone “planned abdominal surgery” the previous day. The announcement described the surgery as “successful” and indicated that she was expected to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days for recovery. While the palace confirmed the issue was non-cancerous, details about the surgery were kept private, respecting the Princess’s wish for medical privacy. It was also announced that Princess Kate would likely postpone public duties until after Easter.
The Palace statement conveyed Princess Kate’s understanding of public interest but emphasized her desire to maintain normalcy for her children and keep her personal medical information private. She also apologized for postponing upcoming engagements and expressed her hope to resume them as soon as possible. Prince William also temporarily adjusted his schedule to support his wife and family during her recovery.
January 18, 2024: Prince William Visits Hospital
Prince William was photographed leaving The London Clinic on January 18th, a day after the surgery announcement. He was presumed to have visited Princess Kate privately.
Prince William driving away from The London Clinic in London on January 18, 2024, where Princess Kate was recovering after her abdominal surgery.
It was reported that their children did not visit Princess Kate in the hospital during her stay, likely to maintain their routine and minimize disruption.
January 29, 2024: Discharge from Hospital and Return Home
On January 29th, Kensington Palace announced Princess Kate’s discharge from The London Clinic. The Palace stated she had returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery and was making “good progress.” A statement also conveyed the Prince and Princess’s gratitude to the medical team at The London Clinic, particularly the nursing staff, and thanked the public for their well-wishes.
February 7, 2024: Prince William Resumes Public Duties
Prince William returned to public duties on February 7th, marking his first engagements since Princess Kate’s surgery. He conducted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, stepping in for King Charles III, who had recently announced his own cancer diagnosis.
Later that day, Prince William attended a fundraising gala for London’s Air Ambulance Charity, where he publicly acknowledged the support received for both Princess Kate and King Charles.
Prince William posing with Tom Cruise at the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner on February 7, 2024, where he thanked the public for their support for Princess Kate.
He expressed gratitude for the “kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father,” and lightheartedly commented on the “medical focus” of recent weeks.
February 18, 2024: Prince William Attends BAFTA Awards Solo
Prince William attended the 2024 BAFTA Awards alone on February 18th. Princess Kate traditionally accompanies him to this high-profile event annually.
Prince William arriving at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards in London on February 18, 2024, attending without Princess Kate as she continued her recovery.
His solo appearance further fueled public interest and speculation regarding Princess Kate’s health and recovery progress.
February 27, 2024: Prince William Misses Engagement Due to ‘Personal Matter’
Speculation about Princess Kate’s well-being intensified when Prince William withdrew from a royal engagement on February 27th, citing a “personal matter.” He was scheduled to attend a memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece. The Palace clarified that the personal matter was unrelated to King Charles’s health but provided no further details, leading to increased online discussion and concern.
February 29, 2024: Palace Update on Princess Kate’s Recovery
Amid growing online speculation, a Palace spokesperson offered an update on February 29th, stating Princess Kate was “doing well” in her recovery. The spokesperson reiterated the January statement about providing only significant updates and dismissed ongoing speculation.
Catherine, Princess of Wales at an evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace, London, December 5, 2023, one of her last public engagements before her surgery.
This was the first official comment from the Palace regarding Princess Kate since her hospital discharge in late January.
March 4, 2024: First Sighting in Car with Mother
Princess Kate was photographed for the first time since December on March 4th, seen in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, in Windsor. This photograph, not released by Kensington Palace, offered a glimpse of the Princess but did little to quell the rising tide of online rumors.
March 6, 2024: Palace Responds to Online Speculation
As speculation continued to swirl, a Palace spokesperson issued a brief statement to People magazine on March 6th, addressing the online discussions about Princess Kate. The spokesperson stated that Prince William’s “focus is on his work and not on social media,” aiming to deflect attention from the intense public scrutiny.
March 10, 2024: Mother’s Day Photo and Editing Controversy
On Mother’s Day in the UK, March 10th, Princess Kate shared a photo on social media of herself with her three children. This was the first official photo released since December and was intended to reassure the public.
Official Mother’s Day photograph released by Kensington Palace on March 10, 2024, featuring Princess Kate with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, taken by Prince William.
However, international news agencies retracted the photo, citing concerns about image manipulation.
A comparison highlighting inconsistencies in the Mother’s Day photo of Princess Kate and her children, leading to its retraction by news agencies due to manipulation concerns.
Experts analyzed the photo and pointed out inconsistencies suggesting digital editing.
March 11, 2024: Public Apology for Edited Photo
Princess Kate issued a public apology on March 11th, acknowledging that she had edited the Mother’s Day photo and expressing regret for any confusion caused. She stated that, like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing and apologized for the family photograph shared. Kensington Palace confirmed they would not reissue the unedited photo. Later that day, Princess Kate was photographed in a car with Prince William, who proceeded with public engagements without commenting on the photo controversy.
March 14, 2024: News Agency Downgrades Kensington Palace Trust
The photo editing controversy led Agence France-Presse (AFP) to declare that Kensington Palace was no longer considered a trusted source. AFP’s global news director stated that the photo manipulation violated their guidelines, leading to a rare “kill notice” for publishers worldwide. This marked a significant reputational blow for Kensington Palace’s media relations.
March 16, 2024: Sighting at Farm Shop with Prince William
Amidst the ongoing controversy, Princess Kate was reportedly seen with Prince William at a farm shop near their Windsor home on March 16th. Eyewitness accounts described her as looking “happy, relaxed and healthy.”
March 19, 2024: Editing Notice on Second Royal Photo
Getty Images added an editor’s note to a photo taken by Princess Kate in 2022, featuring Queen Elizabeth II and her great-grandchildren, stating it had been “digitally enhanced at source.” This second editing notice further amplified scrutiny on Kensington Palace’s image handling practices.
Getty Images editor’s note added to a 2022 photo taken by Princess Kate of Queen Elizabeth II and her great-grandchildren, indicating digital enhancement.
The Palace remained silent on this additional editing concern.
March 20, 2024: Hospital Staff Investigated for Record Breach
Reports emerged on March 20th that staff at The London Clinic were being investigated for attempting to access Princess Kate’s private medical records. The UK privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, confirmed receiving a breach report and initiating assessment. The CEO of The London Clinic stated that disciplinary action would be taken against anyone breaching patient trust. Kensington Palace declined to comment, deferring to The London Clinic.
Police officers standing guard outside The London Clinic in London during Princess Kate’s recovery in January 2024, amidst reports of a medical record breach investigation.
March 22, 2024: Princess Kate Publicly Announces Cancer Diagnosis
In a video message released on March 22nd, Princess Kate bravely announced that tests after her abdominal surgery revealed cancer had been present. She explained that while her initial condition was believed to be non-cancerous, post-operative tests indicated otherwise. She confirmed she had begun a course of preventative chemotherapy on the advice of her medical team.
Princess Kate’s official video statement released on March 22, 2024, where she announced her cancer diagnosis and ongoing preventative chemotherapy treatment.
Princess Kate described the news as a “huge shock” and spoke about the family’s efforts to manage the situation privately for their children’s sake.
March 23, 2024: Royal Family ‘Enormously Touched’ by Public Support
Following Princess Kate’s announcement, Kensington Palace stated that both she and Prince William were “enormously touched” by the outpouring of public support and kind messages from around the world. They expressed gratitude for the public’s warmth and understanding of their need for privacy during this time. Messages of support came from global figures, including President Joe Biden, and royal family members, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
March 31, 2024: Absence from Easter Service
Princess Kate, Prince William, and their children did not attend the annual Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel on March 31st. This absence was expected given Princess Kate’s recent cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
April 18, 2024: Prince William Returns to Work Post-Diagnosis Announcement
Prince William resumed public duties on April 18th, visiting a nonprofit organization in Surrey, England. He received cards and well-wishes for Princess Kate and King Charles, expressing his gratitude for the public’s continued support.
April 29, 2024: 13th Wedding Anniversary
Prince William and Princess Kate celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on April 29th privately. They shared a previously unseen wedding portrait on social media to mark the occasion, expressing thanks for the ongoing support.
June 5, 2024: Prince William Provides Update on Princess Kate’s Health
While attending a D-Day anniversary event on June 5th, Prince William provided a brief update on Princess Kate’s health when asked by a veteran. He confirmed she was “getting better” and added, “She would’ve loved to be here today.”
June 14, 2024: Princess Kate Shares Health Update and ‘Good Progress’
Princess Kate released a personal written message on June 14th, providing an update on her health and cancer treatment. She stated she was “making good progress” with chemotherapy but was “not out of the woods yet.”
Official photo released by Kensington Palace on June 14, 2024, alongside Princess Kate’s health update, showing her in Windsor, England.
She described the chemotherapy journey as having “good days and bad days” and mentioned her intention to engage in school life, personal activities, and some work from home on her better days. She also expressed being “blown away” by the public’s support.
June 15, 2024: Trooping the Colour Public Appearance
Princess Kate made her first public appearance since announcing her diagnosis at Trooping the Colour on June 15th. She joined the Royal Family for the King’s Birthday Parade.
Princess Kate arriving at Horse Guards Parade for the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London on June 15, 2024, marking her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis announcement.
She participated in the carriage procession with her children and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the Royal Family, marking a significant moment of public reassurance and visibility.
The Royal Family, including Princess Kate, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour parade on June 15, 2024.
July 15, 2024: Wimbledon Men’s Final Appearance
Princess Kate attended the Wimbledon men’s final on July 15th with Princess Charlotte and her sister Pippa Middleton Matthews. She received a standing ovation upon arrival, demonstrating the public’s continued support.
Princess Kate, Princess Charlotte, and Pippa Middleton at the Wimbledon men’s final on July 14, 2024, where Princess Kate presented the championship trophies.
As the royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, she presented the championship trophies to the finalists.
August 25, 2024: Sunday Service at Balmoral
Princess Kate joined Prince William and other Royal Family members for Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Estate on August 25th. This appearance in Scotland was another sign of her gradual return to public life and engagements.
September 9, 2024: Completion of Chemotherapy Announced
In a video message on September 9th, Princess Kate announced that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment. She described the preceding months as “incredibly tough” for her family and expressed relief at finishing treatment.
Princess Kate’s video message released by Kensington Palace on September 9, 2024, announcing the completion of her chemotherapy treatment and plans for a gradual return to public duties.
While stating her focus was now on staying “cancer free,” she acknowledged her path to full recovery was ongoing and would take time. She also expressed anticipation about returning to work and undertaking more public engagements in the coming months.
October 2, 2024: Meeting with Fellow Cancer Sufferer
Princess Kate was photographed hugging a teenager battling cancer at Windsor Castle on October 2nd. This engagement marked her first royal duty with photographers present since her diagnosis, highlighting her compassionate approach to her public role.
October 10, 2024: First Public Engagement Post-Diagnosis
On October 10th, Princess Kate undertook her first official public engagement since her cancer diagnosis, joining Prince William in Southport, England. They visited a community center to meet with first responders and mental health professionals supporting the community after a local tragedy.
Princess Kate arriving at Southport Community Centre on October 10, 2024, for her first official public engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis.
December 6, 2024: Hosting Christmas Carol Service
Princess Kate hosted her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 6th. This significant public event marked a major return to the spotlight nearly a year after her abdominal surgery.
Princess Kate attending the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024, a significant public event in her return to royal duties.
The service, focused on themes of love and empathy, was attended by her family and other members of the Royal Family.
Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children attending the “Together At Christmas Carol Service” at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024.
December 25, 2024: Christmas Morning Service Attendance
Princess Kate, along with Prince William and their children, attended the Christmas morning church service at Sandringham on December 25th, continuing the royal tradition. Her appearance, looking well and greeting the public, was a reassuring sight for many.
Princess Kate with Prince William and their children arriving for the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on December 25, 2024.
This marked a full circle from her last public appearance before her health challenges began, at the same service the previous year.
January 15, 2025: Cancer in Remission Announcement
On January 15, 2025, Princess Kate shared uplifting news via social media, announcing that her cancer was in remission. She expressed relief and focused on recovery, while acknowledging the ongoing adjustment to a “new normal” after a cancer diagnosis.
Princess Kate visiting The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14, 2025, after announcing her cancer was in remission.
Her update followed her first royal engagement of 2025, a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she had received treatment. During her visit, she met with staff and patients, offering words of encouragement and empathy.
Princess Kate speaking with Katherine Field, a patient undergoing chemotherapy, during her visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14, 2025.
Princess Kate’s journey from initial surgery and diagnosis to remission has been closely followed by the world. This timeline encapsulates the key events and updates surrounding her illness, demonstrating her resilience, commitment to her royal duties, and the unwavering public support she has received.
