The Princess of Wales has taken another step on her path to recovery from cancer by enjoying a skiing holiday over the New Year.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Kate, along with Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, enjoyed a peaceful break in the Alps just over two weeks ago.
They are said to have escaped from their home in Anmer, on the Sandringham estate, shortly after Christmas and spent several days away, along with members of the Middleton family.
The couple and their children were seen enjoying hot morning drinks at a mountaintop restaurant which is a popular stopping point for British skiers and has panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks.
It is believed they returned to eat at the same restaurant, which was once a shepherd’s hut.
A member of staff revealed: “It was lovely to see Kate relax and enjoy herself.”
“They seemed like a normal English family and many people didn’t recognize them. It wasn’t the first time we saw them. They’ve been coming here for years. I think they love the area. We also often see Pippa, Kate’s sister.
Although the trip will be seen as a positive sign in Kate’s recovery from cancer, Kensington Palace has stressed that the princess’s return to full duties will only be gradual.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Kate, along with Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, enjoyed a peaceful break in the Alps just over two weeks ago. Pictured: Prince William and Kate appear during a private ski break in 2016.

They are said to have escaped from their home in Anmer on the Sandringham estate shortly after Christmas and spent several days away, along with members of the Middleton family. In the photo: James Middleton with his wife Alizee, his son Iñigo and their two dogs.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor areas, and is known for its cozy atmosphere and good food, with a fireplace for skiers to warm up before heading back to the slope.
It sits at an altitude of more than 6,000 feet and is accessible only to skiers descending a red run, although foot visitors who reserve a table can hike up the mountain to arrive by the restaurant’s tracked snow taxi.
The suggestion that George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, arrived on skis suggests they are already competent on the slopes.
Kate, who, after a visit to hospital where she received chemotherapy, announced last week that she was “in remission” from cancer, spent time with her brother James during her break, including seeing him at the restaurant.
One viewer said: ‘James was there with his wife and then Kate arrived with Charlotte and Louis. It looked like some sort of Middleton family on their knees. Everyone seemed to be really happy.
“There were no airs and they actually looked like a normal family enjoying a ski holiday. There was a lot of laughter and the children were very polite.
‘The only reason you would have known they were important people was because when Kate arrived, so did a group of security guards. Kate looked like she was having a great time.”

The couple and their children were seen enjoying hot morning drinks at a mountaintop restaurant which is a popular stopping point for British skiers and has panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks.
James, 37, shared a series of photos on Instagram earlier this month featuring himself, his wife Alizee, their one-year-old son Inigo and two of their dogs, against a backdrop of snowy mountains on an apparent trip of ski.
In a post accompanying the images, she opened up about her battles with depression, saying: “The January blues used to hit me hard… and to some extent still do.”
But he also revealed: ‘We started the New Year with an adventure in the mountains. We were lucky to be surrounded by blue skies and cold, crisp air.’
Kate is believed to have returned to the UK in time to celebrate her 43rd birthday at home on January 9. She then undertook her first solo engagement in over a year at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital, where she was treated for her cancer. .
Royal observers described his hospital visit as part of their “carefully calibrated plan to manage his recovery and measured return to official duties.”
A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment.