Kate Middleton and Prince William have faced a tumultuous year in 2024, with the Princess of Wales openly battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. Now, royal experts suggest that while Kate may never fully “recover” from the emotional and physical toll of her illness, significant changes are on the horizon for the couple.
According to a royal insider, major shifts are taking place behind the scenes as the couple prepares for their future roles as king and queen. “There are some major shifts coming,” a close friend of the couple shared with People, explaining that the couple is working on “building a trusted team of top advisers” and fine-tuning their approach to royal duties. “They are really finessing what works and what doesn’t,” the source noted.
Despite the public nature of Kate’s cancer journey, the Princess of Wales has continued to serve as a pillar of strength for the family. A royal source explained, “She has not been able to have the privacy that a person who faces this kind of illness is normally afforded.” A family friend added that the emotional scars of the past year will remain with her, saying, “I don’t think you ever recover fully from what Kate has had to endure.”
Kate’s role within the royal family is also evolving, with biographer Catherine Mayer stating, “She was already the only working royal left with any special pulling power. Now her scarcity means that it has risen.” Mayer also praised Kate’s ability to generate excitement, adding, “For her, less is actually more.”
Despite missing Royal Ascot on June 18, Kate’s recent appearance at Trooping the Colour sent a powerful message of confidence and dedication to her public duties. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith noted that Kate’s presence demonstrated “the confidence of someone who has enthusiastically reconnected with her public duties.”
As Kate and Prince William look to the future, it’s clear that their focus is on continuing their royal responsibilities while preparing for the changes that lie ahead.
