Royal Family: Princess Catherine to focus on kids after ‘brush with mortality’
Princess Catherine’s absence from the public eye might be something royal fans will have to get more used to as the Wales’ holiday plans are revealed.
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Princess Catherine, who has been largely absent from royal duties this year due to a cancer diagnosis and treatment, will continue to keep a much lower public profile, even after her expected full recovery.
According to the Daily Beast, sources say the Princess of Wales’ treatment for cancer is understood to be progressing well, but that her “brush with mortality” has changed her outlook and that she intends to place an even greater focus on her family.
“Kate has been exceptionally open and honest about her health. Making two appearances before the summer break, at Wimbledon and Trooping the Colour, was a clear signal that she is doing well,” a friend of the couple told the Daily Beast.
“That is what we are hearing privately as well — it’s not over but there is lots of optimism, lots of positivity.”
The friend also said that they understood the princess was still receiving chemotherapy for cancer which was discovered when she underwent abdominal surgery at the beginning of the year.
“It is obviously still an incredibly worrying time but all the signs are that her cancer treatment, which is ongoing, is progressing well.”
A Buckingham Palace insider told the outlet that there was no indication that Princess Catherine was expected to be back on duty for the traditionally busy period of royal engagements begins in the first week of September through until the end of the year.
“There is still nothing in her diary. My understanding is that people are going to have to get used to seeing a lot less of Kate. The priority for her now is going to be family and the children. The youngest of those kids, Louis, is only 6,” the source said.
“Like a lot of people who have a brush with mortality, Kate is going to prioritise the things that matter to her from now on. In her case, that means her kids.”
King Charles’ own cancer fight is said to have shaped the princess’ changed outlook.
“Charles’ cancer hasn’t gone away, the palace have said as much, and to be brutally honest, the once-popular notion that he will live to a similar age as his mother [94] or father [99] is now less widespread,” the source said.
“I think that has very much focused Kate’s mind on the fact that there may only be a few years of freedom left. What does she want to do with them? Nurture her kids and try her best to equip them for the life ahead of them.”
But in some positive news for the princess, it was revealed this week that she does intend to travel to the Royal Family’s Scottish estate, Balmoral, for the family’s traditional summer holiday.
The Wales’ often travel in the northern hemisphere summer to Tresco, a small island off the coast of Cornwall but according to the Daily Beast, this year they will travel to Balmoral where they’ll join will join King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the rest of the Royal Family.
The family holiday will be Princess Catherine’s longest trip away since her cancer diagnosis.
Royal author Phil Dampier told The Sun that it is a “positive” sign in her recovery that the mum-of-three is planning to go to Scotland.
“The fact that Kate is well enough to travel to Scotland and enjoy a holiday at Balmoral is a sure sign she is on the mend and a very positive step,” he said.
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Originally published as Royal Family: Princess Catherine to focus on kids after ‘brush with mortality’
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