Kate Middleton may never come back to royal duties in the role that people saw her in before, a source has told US Weekly. The Princess of Wales, who was once front and center at royal engagements with her husband Prince William, is currently battling cancer. The insider added that Kate is re-evaluating what she will be able to take on when she comes back after undergoing preventative chemotherapy as part of her treatment.
Even royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said that when Kate does return to her royal duties, it will be based on medical advice and will be very carefully balanced. However, last month, royal sources said that Kate may not appear in public for the rest of the year as she undergoes treatment. “Lots of people involved in planning need to know what all the principals are doing a long way in advance. I am told that Kate’s diary for this year is empty; there is nothing planned. She may not appear in public for the rest of the year,” a royal insider told The Daily Beast.
The insider also said that the Princess being absent from the public eye for a prolonged time may prompt more speculations about her whereabouts. “I would not rule out another video message updating the country on her health. That proved to be a very effective way of keeping the conspiracy theorists at bay,” the source added.
Prince William and Kate Middleton recently paid tribute to England’s rugby league player Rob Burrow on social media. The 41-year-old British sportsman died on Sunday following his diagnosis of motor neuron disease in 2019. The Prince and Princess of Wales honored Burrow, saying he had a huge heart, in an emotional post on X, formerly Twitter. In the heartfelt note shared via their Kensington Royal account, the Prince and Princess of Wales said, “A legend of rugby league, Rob Burrow had a huge heart. He taught us that in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.” The royal couple also sent their regards to Burrow’s wife Lindsay, whom he married in 2016, and their three children. “Katherine and I send our love to Lindsay, Jackson, Maya, and Macy,” their statement added.
Burrow, who retired in 2017, was diagnosed with MND after gradual changes in his speech. According to NHS, a publicly funded national healthcare system in the UK, MND is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurons. The former Leeds Rhino star’s wife took on the responsibility as his caretaker. Lindsay previously told The Sun, “We don’t want stairlifts, hoists, and things. For me, it can become quite clinical. You just want to do what you can while you can, for as long as you can. He’s my husband. I want to care for him. You say those vows, ‘in sickness and in health,’ and that’s what you want to do. He’ll often say, ‘Thank you for looking after me. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you doing these things.’ I know how grateful he is,” she added.
Amid her cancer treatment and withdrawal from public appearances, Kate Middleton is reportedly sensing a chill behind the palace walls. Whispers of backstabbing are already circulating around the Princess of Wales, considered a key asset of the royal family. Her absence has likely disrupted the royal dynamics.