Kate Middleton made her first public appearance since announcing the completion of her chemotherapy.
The 42-year-old Princess of Wales was seen attending a service at Crathie Kirk Church, near Balmoral Castle in Scotland, on Sunday, September 22.
She was accompanied by her husband, Prince William, and other members of the royal family. Seated in the passenger seat of a car driven by William, Kate offered a brief smile to onlookers.
She wore a dark green wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers and a brown tartan checked coat, while William sported a dark suit. King Charles and Queen Camilla were also spotted arriving at the church in separate vehicles.
This church service marked Kate’s first public appearance since revealing earlier this month that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment. She had first shared news of her cancer diagnosis and treatment in March.
In a heartfelt video message posted on September 9, Kate announced the end of her cancer treatment.
The video, filmed with Prince William and their three children—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6—saw Kate expressing her relief at completing treatment.
She acknowledged the challenges of the past nine months, stating, “Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to go through the stormy waters and road unknown.”
Reflecting on her journey, Kate shared, “The cancer journey is complex, scary, and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you… This time has reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted—of simply loving and being loved.”
In the weeks leading up to her appearance at the church service, Kate had already begun quietly returning to work.
On September 17, the Court Circular, the official record of royal family activities, reported that Kate held a meeting at Windsor Castle with her Centre for Early Childhood team and the Kensington Palace staff.
The meeting was part of her ongoing early years childhood project, a cause she remains passionate about.
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ visit to Crathie Kirk followed Prince William’s solo appearance at an event in Aberdeen, Scotland, on September 19, where he met with individuals working to combat homelessness in the region.
In her earlier message, Kate reassured the public that while she continues her recovery, she is “doing what I can to stay cancer-free” and plans to return to full duties “in the coming months when I can.”
