Princess Kate made a heartfelt return to the public eye on Sunday, Sept. 22, after revealing that she had successfully completed chemotherapy.
The Princess of Wales, 42, was seen attending a service at Crathie Kirk Church, located near Balmoral Castle in Scotland, alongside her husband, Prince William, and other members of the royal family.
Princess Kate at Balmoral
As they arrived at the church, Kate flashed a brief but warm smile from the passenger seat, with Prince William at the wheel.
The princess wore a striking dark green wide-brimmed hat, adorned with feathers on the side, paired with a classic brown tartan coat. William, in a dark suit, cut a somber yet elegant figure as they joined King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were also spotted arriving separately.
This public appearance holds special significance as it marks Kate’s first since her personal battle with cancer became public earlier this year. In March, she revealed that she was undergoing chemotherapy as part of her treatment.
Earlier this month, she shared the emotional news that her treatment had finally come to an end. In a moving video released on Sept. 9, the princess expressed both relief and gratitude, appearing alongside her family—Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Reflecting on the challenges, she opened up about how the experience has reshaped her outlook: “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,” she shared in the video. “Life can change in an instant, and we’ve had to navigate through some very stormy waters.”
The princess described her journey through cancer as “complex, scary, and unpredictable,” not just for her, but for those closest to her. Despite the difficulties, she emphasized how this period reminded her of the importance of appreciating the simple things in life. “It has shown William and me to be grateful for simply loving and being loved.”
Although she’s still in recovery, Kate has expressed her commitment to staying cancer-free and is eager to return to work. She plans to slowly resume her royal duties over the coming months.
On Sept. 17, just days before the church service, she officially returned to work by holding a meeting with her Early Childhood team at Windsor Castle. The meeting was recorded in the Court Circular, noting her ongoing dedication to the early years childhood project, a cause close to her heart.