Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis Has Shifted Her Priorities and Outlook on Life

Experiencing a traumatic event can change anyone's attitude towards life, and it seems that Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis has shifted her outlook on many things. The princess, who has used the majority of the year so far to lay low during her treatment, is now taking a "summer break" following her Wimbledon appearance. And royal author Robert Jobson—whose new book Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen comes out on August 6—told People that it was her illness that changed her priorities.

"Before, she used to live her life by the calendar, and now she is living her life, and the calendar comes in after," Jobson explained. "She will be back, but when you have had an experience like this, it changes your perspective and the order of things."

Over the weekend, Middleton attended the 2024 Wimbledon men's final alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and sister, Pippa Middleton, where Kate received a standing ovation amid her recovery from cancer. Following Kate and Charlotte's appearance at the tennis tournament, Vanity Fair reported that the Princess of Wales was now entering "summer break" mode. A palace insider confirmed to People that Kate will be spending the rest of the warmer months out of the spotlight.

"She won’t have to be on center stage," they said. "Being with her family and just being herself will give her energy. There will be plenty of time to focus on her recovery."

Sources also told VF that Middleton, her husband Prince William, and their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, plan to lay low at their Norfolk home before heading to Scotland later this summer to join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral. The publication also noted that Wimbledon will likely be Middleton's last public appearance until later this year.