Princess Kate 'planning for future' with return at event after months of cancer treatment

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is understood to have set her sights on “potentially” joining the King and the royal family at the Cenotaph for the National Service of Remembrance on November 10, four months after her last public appearance at the men’s final of Wimbledon in July.

Since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March via an emotional video message, Kate, 42, has only made two public appearances. She had undergone major abdominal surgery in January and begun chemotherapy in late February after it was found.

In June, she made her first appearance in six months at Trooping the Colour. On the eve of the appearance, she released a statement saying she was “making good progress” and that treatment would continue “for a few more months”.

“As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.”

Since then, her only other public appearance was at the Wimbledon men’s final in July, which she attended with her daughter, Princess Charlotte and her younger sister, Pippa Matthews.

This summer, Kate, the Prince of Wales and their three children spent their holidays at Anmer Hall, their home in Norfolk. Returning to school this week, George, Charlotte and Louis will be in Year 7, Year 5 and Year 2 respectively. Throughout her treatment, Kate continued to share the school run to Lambrook School with William and said in June: “On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life”.

No set date or engagements have been announced for her return to public life and Kate will not accompany William to Cape Town in November for the Earthshot Prize awards.

However, according to The Times, if Kate continues to make progress it is understood that she may “potentially” join the royal family at the Cenotaph for the annual Remembrance Day Service on November 10.

Royal aides are also understood to have commenced the planning of the princess’s annual “Together at Christmas” televised carol service at Westminster Abbey In December. She is also said to be holding more regular meetings with her private secretary, Tom White, her assistant private secretary, Natalie Burrows and the Wales's communications secretary, Lee Thompson while continuing to do some work at her home, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

On Friday, Kensington Palace released a written message from Kate on social media, welcoming the explorer and broadcaster Dwayne Fields as the new chief scout, replacing Bear Grylls. Kate, who is joint president of the Scouts with the Duke of Kent, said: “Looking forward to working with you! C”

Those close to the Princess of Wales continue to say, much like Kensington Palace, that there is “no expectation for her to rush back” to public life.

Unlike the King, who has had a busy schedule since his return to public life in April after his cancer diagnosis in February, the return to official duties for Kate will be “gradual”.

Those close to the Waleses have said that William’s noticeably fuller diary of engagements and more relaxed demeanour since their summer break may also be a hopeful sign of Kate’s progress.

In June, ahead of trooping the Colour, the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their “continued understanding” that enabled her to “take this much-needed time to heal”.