Following Kate Middleton’s absence from Royal Ascot—long a fixture in the royal calendar—earlier this June, royal commentators have provided some insight into her choice to take leave, and why this may also be the case for events in the future.
This week, the Daily Mail shed some light on the seriousness of her illness, offering a glimpse into her private turmoil. When she began treatment last year, Middleton was fitted with a semi-permanent port in her chest—a discreet yet vital device placed under the skin, delivering medication directly into a vein near the heart, where it remained for several weeks.
The port, described as “a literal lifeline,” was a serious health measure that offered no guarantees—royal title or not. That the princess is now able to speak of recovery is nothing short of remarkable, noted the royal reporter.
Concern escalated again when Middleton withdrew from this year’s Royal Ascot, allegedly just 30 minutes before her expected arrival. According to The Daily Beast, palace staff were “bewildered and worried,” with speculation that the princess had required urgent medical attention. A palace insider also told the outlet that her absence was a potent reminder: “Kate was seriously ill last year and underwent a significant period of chemotherapy. Recovery isn’t immediate—it can take years.”
Indeed, those close to the family suggest the sudden cancellation was less an anomaly than an awakening. “This was a wake-up call,” a well-placed source said. “Not a one-off.”
The princess, they add, is now “recalibrating her entire life” after what’s been described as a “horrific” few years. In practical terms, this likely means she will significantly reduce public engagements for the remainder of 2025. One source told the publication that Middleton is “strict” regarding which events require her attendance and which don’t, as she must balance her royal obligations with her health and recovery.
“She knows more than ever what is important to her, and she won’t be rushed on her journey back to full health,” wrote their royal editor.
In March of 2024, the Princess announced her cancer diagnosis following months of speculation regarding her whereabouts. At the time, she revealed she had undergone abdominal surgery and would be subsequently undergoing chemotherapy. Then, in September of the same year, she confirmed she had completed chemotherapy and was cancer-free.
She reiterated that total recovery would still take time; however, she would slowly begin to partake in her royal engagements again, nonetheless.
“My path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” she explained.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.
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