It’s been an eventful year for Kate Middleton, to say the least. The Princess of Wales celebrated her 43rd birthday on January 9, and her husband, Prince William, honored her with a sweet public tribute. Keep reading to see the photo and take a look back at the royal family’s past year.
Prince William’s birthday wish for Princess Kate
The Prince of Wales posted a black-and-white smiling photo of his wife to their shared Instagram account Thursday, expressing admiration on behalf of himself and the pair’s three children.
“To the most incredible wife and mother,” he wrote in the caption. “The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”
A recap of Princess Kate’s trying year
In a year where public speculation initially circled Princess Kate as she remained largely out of the public sphere, she eventually revealed the news of her health challenges: she had been diagnosed with cancer and undergone preventive chemotherapy treatment.
In a March 2024 video statement, the Princess of Wales revealed that she was in the “early stages” of preventive chemotherapy (which is meant to keep cancer from recurring) after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
The cancer has been found during a planned abdominal surgery in January, the Princess shared, adding that her condition was originally thought to be benign. While the surgery was successful, she said, post-operative testing revealed cancer was present.
“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” she said.
“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok. As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.”
Princess Kate’s hopeful update
In June, she took to Instagram to share an update to Instagram, expressing thanks for the outpouring of support she had received, adding that it made a positive difference for her and Prince William as they navigated her health battle.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” she said. “On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.
She was still being treated and had a few months left of chemotherapy, she shared, but on the days she felt well enough, she slowly began her return to activities and engagements that helped boost her spirits, she said.
“I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” she continued. “I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal.”
Completing chemotherapy
Thankfully, in September, the Princess issued a video update alongside Prince William and their children stating that she had finished her chemotherapy and was looking forward to continuing to recover.
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she said. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.
She explained how fighting cancer affected not only the person with the disease, but their loved ones as well, and described it as an experience that forces you to acknowledge your vulnerability as a human being. She and Prince William had a renewed sense of appreciation for the love in their lives.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus,” the Princess noted. “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.”
Prince William reacts to a difficult year
Prince William also offered some insight into the toll of Princess Kate’s cancer on their
family, calling 2024 “brutal” while reflecting on the year in a November interview.
“It’s been dreadful,” he admitted. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.” He then added that, “Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
In addition to his wife’s hardship, William’s father, King Charles III, had been diagnosed with cancer the same year.
“I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done,” Prince William said.
