Catherine, Princess of Wales, has returned to her royal duties following the completion of her chemotherapy treatment. On Tuesday, Kate, 42, who is married to Prince William, the heir to the British throne, hosted an Early Years Meeting at Windsor Castle. The event, documented in the Court Circular, marks her first public engagement since her health update last week.

In her message, Kate shared that she is “doing what I can to stay cancer-free” and entering a “new phase of recovery with renewed hope and appreciation for life.” She acknowledged the past nine months have been challenging but expressed eagerness to resume her work and undertake more public engagements in the coming months.

The Court Circular did not provide further details about Tuesday’s meeting, but Kate’s longstanding commitment to early childhood development is well-known. Her work in this area, described by aides as her “life’s work,” includes the 2021 launch of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and the “Shaping Us” campaign, aimed at enhancing understanding of the importance of the first five years of life in shaping future adults.

Since February, Kate has been undergoing chemotherapy for an undisclosed type of cancer, which has limited her public appearances. In June, she participated in the King’s birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, and received a heartfelt standing ovation a month later at the Wimbledon men’s singles final, where she was accompanied by her daughter, Princess Charlotte.

Throughout her treatment, Kate continued to engage with her work from home, holding virtual meetings with her team and representatives from her early-years center. As she focuses on her recovery, she plans to resume a light schedule of public engagements for the rest of the year. Among her anticipated appearances is the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in London this November, where she will pay tribute to those who have served in wartime.

In conclusion, despite the challenges of her cancer treatment, Kate remains dedicated to her public and charitable duties. Her resilience and commitment are evident as she resumes her royal engagements, balancing her recovery with her longstanding focus on early childhood development. As she prepares to attend significant events like the Remembrance Day service, her presence continues to inspire and underscore her enduring dedication to both her personal and royal responsibilities.