Princess Kate has made a rare and significant public return to her royal duties, marking a shift in how Kensington Palace is approaching her schedule for 2025. After a year of treatment for cancer, which saw the Princess of Wales largely retreat from the spotlight, her latest public engagement announcement signals a new phase in her royal role.
Until now, Princess Kate’s activities have been closely guarded by the palace, with little information released ahead of time about her appearances. She made her return to public life in autumn 2024 after completing chemotherapy, appearing at major events like Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon. However, recent news has revealed a shift in the palace’s communication strategy.
On Thursday, February 20, 2025, Kensington Palace broke from its usual protocol, issuing a press release that announced a joint trip by Prince William and Princess Kate to Pontypridd, Wales, on February 26. This visit marks the first time in months that details about the Princess’s schedule have been publicly shared without the usual embargo.
Royal historian Jessica Storoschuk commented on the announcement, noting that this shift signals confidence in the couple’s ability to proceed with planned engagements. “This is a clear step forward for William and Catherine, indicating they are confident that they will not need to cancel or postpone due to health concerns,” Storoschuk explained. “Their willingness to announce the trip ahead of time is a sign of progress.”
The visit to Wales coincides with the upcoming Welsh national holiday, St. David’s Day, on March 1. During their trip, the couple will spend time with local residents who were impacted by flooding from Storm Bert and Storm Darragh in December 2024. This visit will also be their first official engagement since they skipped the 2025 BAFTAs to enjoy a family holiday in Mustique with their three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
The upcoming trip to Wales is seen as a positive and symbolic step in the Princess’s royal duties, signaling her return to full public engagements.
