Princess Kate has been urged to “pace herself” to ensure a gradual return to royal duties, according to new claims.
The Princess of Wales held her first official meeting of the year on Tuesday, which was widely welcomed as a good sign of her recovery.
The meeting at Windsor Castle came just eight days after Kate, 42, confirmed she had completed her chemotherapy.
In a video message, the princess spoke of her relief that her “incredibly tough” treatment had come to an end and thanked the public for their “kindness, empathy and compassion”.
Kate said she hoped to undertake “a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can”.
Dickie Arbiter, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s press spokesman from 1998 until 2000, spoke about Kate’s return to work.
He said: “It will be a slow adjustment to getting back on duty and we mustn’t expect anything mammoth overnight.
“The fact that she had a meeting earlier this week is a good sign, a good sign that she is engaging with other people other than just her family.”
But Arbiter added that she must not feel rushed into a full-time schedule.
He continued to tell The Express: “We shouldn’t be pushing her and she certainly shouldn’t be pushing herself to keep people happy that she is coming back, she will do it gradually and in her time … She’s not out of the woods yet and we must allow her to pace herself.”
The former communications secretary added that any decisions about future engagements will be made on the advice of her medical team, adding: “It’s not just about her, it’s not just about the monarchy and the United Kingdom it is about her family as well.”
Sources have been keen to stress that Kate’s work meeting does not yet signal a full-time return to duties.
Kate holds an annual Christmas carol concert every year which she is hoping to attend in 2024
PA
In the video, Kate said: “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.”
Over the coming weeks and months, Kate will work closely with her top team, namely her private secretary Tom White and assistant private secretary Natalie Burrows to plan her gradual return to public life.
It is understood Kate has her sights set on attending some public engagements over the coming months.
Key events in the royal diary include Remembrance Sunday on November 10, which Kate is keen to attend.
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Princess Kate also hoped to attend the Remembrance Sunday service
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However, sources stressed that a final decision will only be made in the days before the event.
One said: “Her physical and mental recovery will take some time, and although she wants to return to work she is mindful to prioritise her health, for her family’s sake as much as hers.”
The princess is thought to be hopeful to attend her “Together at Christmas” carol service at Westminster Abbey in December and join the family for the traditional walkabout on Christmas Day.
