The Princess of Wales has been out and about with her family more in recent weeks, the Mail understands, as palace officials said they have been inundated with “tens of thousands” of “get well soon” cards. after his cancer diagnosis was revealed.
While many will take the prospect of Kate venturing out with her family as a positive sign, Kensington Palace has stressed that she still needs time and space to recover.
In March, Kate shared an emotional video message revealing that she had started preventive chemotherapy, receiving an outpouring of support and well wishes from the British public.
The princess said she was withdrawing from public life to focus on her recovery, as well as protecting her young family. But the avalanche of support continued.
The palace correspondence team are now said to have been “very touched” by the love and affection shown to Kate, 42, during her battle with cancer.
Buckingham Palace has been inundated with “tens of thousands” of get-well-soon cards and gifts for the Princess of Wales.
In a normal week, the Palace can receive up to 1,000 letters, but what they have received since March has significantly exceeded that figure.
In March, Kensington Palace released the first photograph of the Princess of Wales since her surgery.
The team has at times found it difficult to cope with the volume of correspondence, but staff try to respond to all writers.
All letters addressed to members of the Royal Family are processed by the Court Post Office. In a normal week, the Palace can receive up to 1,000 letters, but what they have received since March has significantly exceeded that figure.
It comes a week after Kate was revealed as the “driving force” behind a new report calling for companies to introduce more family-friendly working practices.
Its Royal Foundation Early Childhood Business Working Group has launched a major new report arguing that investing in early childhood could generate more than £45.5bn for the national economy each year.
Downing Street, as well as ministers from the health and education departments, have already been briefed on its findings, although palace officials are at pains to point out that this is not a political campaign.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson also stressed that the news should not be seen as Kate, 42, returning to work after undergoing major abdominal surgery and revealing she was receiving “preventive chemotherapy” against cancer.
He has not made any public commitments at all this year.
Kate was recently revealed as the “driving force” behind a new report calling on companies to introduce more family-friendly working practices. Her in the photo of her with her family on Christmas Day 2023.
Kate with Louis and Charlotte in May 2023 as they helped renovate and improve Upton Scouts’ third hut in Slough.
But they confirmed that she has attended to all aspects of the report from home, despite her illness.
Their spokesperson said: ‘Work on The Prince and Princess projects’ is ‘always active’… early childhood is a high priority for The Princess and has therefore been kept fully up to date throughout the development of the work. of the Working Group and has seen the report. .’
A senior royal aide added: “The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business taskforce.
‘She has been kept up to date since the inception of the working group and has read the report and been informed about it.
‘This is a clear commitment that she has made and that throughout her life of public service this will be the focus.
“That will continue when she returns to work. But we’ve been very clear that she needs the space and privacy to recover right now. ‘She will return to work when she has received the green light from the doctors.’
“The princess is not expected to return to work until cleared by her medical team,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
Kate’s cancer battle in her own words: Princess of Wales’ emotional video statement in full
I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all the wonderful messages of support and understanding while I was recovering from surgery.
It has been an incredibly difficult couple of months for our entire family, but I have had a fantastic medical team who have looked after me very well, which I am very grateful for.
In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time my condition was thought to be non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found that there was cancer. Therefore, my medical team recommended that I undergo preventive chemotherapy treatment and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
Of course, this was a huge shock, and William and I have been doing our best to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery to be able to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it took us a while to explain everything.
George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be okay.
As I have told you; I’m doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit.
Having William by my side is also a great source of comfort and peace of mind. As has the love, support and kindness that many of you have shown. It means a lot to both of us.
We hope you understand that as a family we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My job has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I hope to return when I can, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.
At this moment I also think of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. To all who face this disease, in any form, do not lose faith and hope. You are not alone.