Unlike their predecessors, Kate and William are determined not to sacrifice their health or time with their children for the sake of royal duties. Catherine, the future queen, is likely to be a “part-time,” but guilt-free, queen. For him, family is always the main priority, despite the proximity to the throne
He has not fully recovered, but every time he appears in public, he looks better. Without a doubt, he is a new man. You can’t face a disease like cancer without changing. According to a family friend, Kate Middleton is ending this “rough” year (as William called it) with cautious optimism and with the awareness that the most important thing is loved ones. Not the throne, which seems closer than ever anyway, but the family.
AMONG THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
2024 has been, for better or for worse, her year. Even the prestigious Time magazine recognized this, including Kate among the ten people who have most influenced public debate and the formation of opinions. In January, the Royal Palace announced Kate’s abdominal surgery for an undisclosed health problem.
After numerous speculations and conspiracy theories on social networks, in March Kate herself, in a touching video, revealed that she was suffering from cancer.
Her pale, frail and tired appearance is an image that will long remain in people’s minds. Her courage and honesty in sharing this personal struggle have made her an incredible example of inspiration. What’s special is that this followed a situation that caused controversy, when a photo of Kate with her three children, published for Mother’s Day, was pulled by agencies because it was manipulated with Photoshop.
WILLIAM’S DARKEST YEAR
In the following months, there was no lack of controversy, while Kate’s absence from the public scene added to the concerns. William, meanwhile, was going through one of the darkest periods of his life, dealing with the illness of his father and his wife, as well as the weight of responsibility for the future of the monarchy.
Kate, on the other hand, devoted all her energy to treatment and health, avoiding media pressure and taking the necessary time to recover.
Her renaissance began in June, when she appeared at the Trooping the Color event, the King’s official birthday. Weak but determined to restart her life, she showed strength. In September, with a touching family video from the Norfolk countryside, Kate announced the end of chemotherapy and the retreat of the cancer.
A DIFFERENT QUEEN
Today, Kate is under strict medical control and carefully chooses the events she attends. Alisa Anderson, a former spokeswoman for Queen Elizabeth II, told People: “Kate will pursue a strategy of surprise and last-minute visits that give her great flexibility.” In the future, she will always be the one to set her own agenda.
Kate and William are preparing for their next roles earlier than they thought. According to biographer Sally Bedell Smith, the Palace has long begun preparations for the succession to the throne.
The clearest sign of this strategy was William’s attendance, rather than King Charles’s, at the inauguration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, where he represented the British monarchy in front of world leaders.
A PART-TIME QUEEN
Unlike their predecessors, Kate and William are determined not to sacrifice their health or time with their children for the sake of royal duties. Catherine, the future queen, is likely to be a “part-time,” but guilt-free, queen. For him, family is always the main priority, despite the proximity to the throne.
