Princess Kate Seen With Family And Handling Errands Alone During Cancer Treatment
Kate Middleton is stepping out amid her cancer treatment. Princess Kate, 42, has remained out of the public eye since publicly announcing her cancer diagnosis in March as she undergoes chemotherapy. However, Kate has recently been spotted out with her family and solo running errands, sources tell PEOPLE.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has received “tens of thousands” of well-wishes for the royal via letters and gifts, the Daily Mail reports.
On May 20, the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood published a new report regarding the Princess of Wales’ initiative encouraging businesses to create the right conditions to help parents and their children, part of her royal work focused on the importance of the first five years of a child’s life.
Although Princess Kate has been “kept fully updated” about the project’s progress, the latest announcement is not a sign of a return to work. She is not expected to return to work until she has been given the all-clear to do so by her medical team, palace sources say.
Prince William shared a positive update about his wife during a May 10 visit to a hospital on the Isles of Scilly.
“May I ask how Princess Kate is doing?” hospital administrator Tracy Smith said in a video shared by Sky News. She’s doing well, thank you,” the Prince of Wales, 41, replied.
“Lovely, and the children as well?” Smith asked.
“The children are very jealous that I’m here and that they’re not here as well,” he said, as the royal couple are known to visit the islands off the southwest tip of England with their children during the summer months.
Although Princess Kate said she “must focus on making a full recovery” in her health announcement, she may join in events when she feels able.
“She has the inner strength, the support of her husband and her extraordinary family, so she can focus on what’s important, which is her getting back to strength,” Ailsa Anderson, a former spokeswoman for Queen Elizabeth, recently told PEOPLE.
READ: Prince George Makes Surprise Appearance At FA Cup Final With Prince William
Those closest to the princess say they have every hope that when she is ready, she will return stronger than ever.
“[The royal family] is vulnerable at the moment, and there will be an even greater appreciation that they are human beings with frailties like the rest of us,” says a former palace aide. “They are so dedicated to their roles. I think you will find when Kate makes a full recovery, she will come back even more passionate.”
Princess Kate and Prince William’s three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — are currently on a school break until June 3. The couple traditionally take time away from their royal duties during school vacations to spend time with their children, but this year, Kate is already staying out of the public eye and William has postponed most outings until the U.K.’s general election takes place on July 4.
On May 25, 10-year-old George joined his father at the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London.