A timeline leading up to and after Kate’s cancer diagnosis
The Princess of Wales said she will attend the King’s Birthday Parade, in a statement on Friday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Princess of Wales has said that she will attend Trooping the Colour in London on Saturday, three months after she announced her cancer diagnosis.
Kate said in a statement on Friday that her treatment is ongoing but she “hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer”.
Here is the timeline of events leading up to and after the princess’ health announcement.
– Monday December 25
In her last public appearance before the news of her hospital treatment, Kate was seen on Christmas Day in Sandringham walking to church with the rest of her family.
She held hands with her daughter Princess Charlotte and looked happy and relaxed as she smiled at well-wishers while heading to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk.
– Tuesday January 9
Kate turned 42 on January 9, and while the monarchy’s official social media accounts marked the day with a behind-the-scenes photo of Kate at the coronation, there was, unusually, no customary response from Kensington Palace thanking well-wishers for their messages.
– Tuesday January 16
Kate is secretly admitted to The London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery.
She attends the clinic rather than King Edward VII’s Hospital, which is usually the go-to establishment for royal family medical matters.
– Wednesday January 17
2pm – Kensington Palace announces the princess’s operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days.
She is not expected to return to duties until after Easter, taking up to three months to recover.
The Prince of Wales steps back from his official duties temporarily to care for his wife and children.
The exact nature of Kate’s condition is kept private, but it is not cancerous and Kensington Palace says the planned procedure was successful.
A source later says the princess is “doing well”.
– Thursday January 18
The Prince of Wales spends time at his wife’s bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.
A serious-looking William was seen leaving the The London Clinic at about 12.35pm.
– Tuesday January 23
Kate’s hospital stay passes the one-week mark.
– Friday January 26
The King visits the Princess of Wales after he is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
– Monday January 29
Kate leaves the clinic to continue her recovery at home.
– Monday February 5
Kensington Palace confirms the Prince of Wales is returning to official duties that week, beginning with an investiture.
– Wednesday February 7
The Prince of Wales thanked the public for their “kind messages of support” after the King announced his cancer diagnosis, while also recognising those who wished Kate well as she recovered from planned abdominal surgery.
– Monday March 4
The Princess of Wales was photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery.
Kate was pictured near Windsor Castle in the passenger seat of a car, according to TMZ.
The news site said she was wearing dark sunglasses in the black Audi which was being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.
The photo is understood to have been taken by paparazzi.
– Tuesday March 5
The Army removed a claim on its website that the Princess of Wales was reviewing Trooping the Colour in June.
Tickets were being sold on the official website for the June 8 military event, advertising an appearance by Kate.
– Sunday March 10
Questions were raised that the first picture of the Princess of Wales to be released after her abdominal surgery may have been manipulated before it was posted on social media by Kensington Palace.
The photo of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by the Prince of Wales in Windsor earlier in the week, was posted to mark Mother’s Day.
In the post, she said: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.
“Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.”
The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.
The photograph was shared with the media on Sunday but it was withdrawn by international picture agencies later the same day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.
– Monday March 11
The Princess of Wales publicly took the blame for the manipulated photograph and issued a personal apology for the “confusion”.
Kate said: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.
“I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.
“I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
– Saturday March 16
The Princess of Wales was filmed smiling with her husband during a visit to a farm shop in Windsor.
Kate’s recovery from surgery appeared to have progressed after footage obtained by The Sun showed her and William at the local business.
In the video the princess can be seen with her hair down, wearing a black jacket and leggings, chatting with William and carrying a large white bag.
– Tuesday March 19
An investigation was reportedly launched at the London Clinic over claims staff tried to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records.
At least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the hospital in January, The Mirror reported.
The UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report.
I am not out of the woods yet
– Friday March 22
In a recorded video message, the Princess of Wales announced she was having chemotherapy after tests following her surgery found cancer had been present.
– Thursday April 18
William, who had spent the previous three and a half weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays, returned to public work.
He visited Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, in Sunbury-on-Thames, and then a youth centre in west London which benefits from the organisation’s regular deliveries.
– Friday May 10
The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wife’s cancer treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly, saying “she’s doing well” when asked by a hospital administrator.
– Wednesday June 5
Footage posted on social media site X, formerly Twitter, showed William speaking to a veteran after a D-Day commemorative event in Portsmouth, in which he appeared to say “she is” when asked if Kate was “getting any better”, with the prince adding: “She’d love to be here today.”
– Saturday June 8
The Princess of Wales wrote a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute, and wished them luck for The Colonel’s Review in London.
– Friday June 14
Kate said in a statement that she is “making good progress” and has “good days and bad days”, adding: “I am not out of the woods yet.”
She said she will attend Trooping the Colour in London on Saturday and that she “hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer” as she continues treatment “for a few more months”.