Kate Middleton's Indefinite Public Hiatus Returns as Princess 'Not Out of the Woods Yet'

Kate, Princess of Wales, has made two public appearances so far in 2024 as she reportedly continues to receive preventative chemotherapy treatments. Thanks to her surprise Wimbledon attendance on July 14, many are wondering when HRH will return to engagements regularly.

Robert Jobson, the author of Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen, shared that she "showed a lot of courage and character, as she knew that the world was watching."

"Before, she used to live her life by the calendar, and now she is living her life, and the calendar comes in after," he added. "She will be back, but when you have had an experience like this, it changes your perspective and the order of things."

"This will have given her sustenance," a palace insider told People. "She has gone through something awful and stressful, and it is crucial to have little wins to look forward to or to give you the courage and energy to go forward. And this was it."

The future queen was accompanied by her daughter, Princess Charlotte, 9, and her younger sister, Pippa Middleton, 40, at Wimbledon, both of whom appeared to have enjoyed the match next to the princess. HRH wore a purple dress that many cited as an homage to her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales, who wore purple in the Royal Box in July 1991.

Her second major outing of 2024 came amid new reports that Kensington Palace aides allegedly have been "scrambling to hide" from the future queen.

Meghan Markle and Kate reportedly "haven't spoken in years" due to a feud "just as toxic as William and Harry's," according to a palace insider. Although recent reports reflect that the Duchess of Sussex is "feeling remorseful" about their long-running dislike of one another, royal expert Hilary Forwich shared that the ex-actress "has a long way to go for Kate" to even consider reconciliation.

If reports are to be believed, the ex-actress and royal-turned-dog biscuit manufacturer is all in her feelings about Kate's cancer struggle. She also feels remorseful about the feud that has raged between them since she asked to use Kate's lip gloss at an event in early 2018.

"Harry is more willing to move on, let’s just say that," another Sussex insider told an outlet. "It’s not a case of Meghan being difficult, she genuinely feels hurt and would like some kind of sit down to hash things through — but that’s not something the other side is willing to consider at this time."

Some critics have also pointed out that Kate's absence diminishes her position.

"The Princess of Wales is still just that — her royal status has nothing to do with her showing up and meeting people," a palace insider explained. "People forget that Queen Victoria shut the door on the public for decades in the nineteenth century, and she was the actual reigning monarch, so royal seclusion is nothing new."