The Princess of Wales has been gradually returning to public duties following her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment and it is understood that she is trying to find the right balance this year. In a surprise move last week, she missed Royal Ascot for the second successive year.

As Kate navigates her return to full-time duties after being diagnosed with cancer last year, an insider has spoken out about her current approach to public appearances. Speaking to the Daily Mail, they said: "She's quite strict now at working out what she needs to be at and what she doesn't.

"And people forget that even if they aren't seeing her in public, she is very hands-on behind the scenes with the team in the office. She has her own projects to pursue, such as her early years initiative. That's a lifelong commitment for HRH."

Despite not attending Royal Ascot, in the lead up to the event, Princess Kate attended three engagements. She visited the new V&A East Storeroom exhibition space in London, the King's official birthday celebrations at Trooping the Colour, and Garter Day in Windsor.

Kate was initially named among the guests joining the King in the traditional carriage procession, which marked its 200th anniversary, but a revised list was quickly issued after Kensington Palace confirmed she would not be attending.

Kate announced in January she was now in remission and focused on healing, while the King is still undergoing weekly treatment for cancer.

Previously, Kate said: "As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty."

In September 2024, Kate described in a video message how the previous nine months had been "incredibly tough for us as a family" and "doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus".

Queen Elizabeth II's former communications secretary Ailsa Anderson told People magazine: "She's being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life."

Last year, the royal spent most of the year out of the public eye, but made occasional appearances, including at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon.

In the autumn, she revealed that she had completed her course of chemotherapy, and in a video, she described her cancer journey as "complex, scary and unpredictable".