Kate Middleton May "Join In" on Royal Events Amid Her Cancer Treatment

The answer as to when Kate Middleton will return to royal duty seemingly continues to change.

While it was initially anticipated that the Princess of Wales would step out sometime after Easter, new reports suggested that her next public appearance wouldn't be until mid-April following her children's spring break. However, once her cancer diagnosis was announced, the Palace gave an indefinite timeline for her leave of absence, revealing that Middleton's return would ultimately be at the discretion of her doctors. 

And though that still holds true, a Palace insider told People that the princess may "join in" on events from time to time amid her chemotherapy treatment. The source noted that Middleton's presence "would not necessarily signal a return to royal duties," as her main focus is on a full recovery. 

"She has the inner strength, the support of her husband and her extraordinary family, so she can focus on what’s important, which is her getting back to strength," Ailsa Anderson, a former spokeswoman for Queen Elizabeth, told People exclusively. Meanwhile, a former palace aide expects that when Kate marks her comeback, she will be stronger than ever before. 

"[The royal family] is vulnerable at the moment, and there will be an even greater appreciation that they are human beings with frailties like the rest of us," the aide said. "They are so dedicated to their roles. I think you will find when Kate makes a full recovery, she will come back even more passionate."

Last week, Middleton revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy following her planned abdominal surgery in January. "The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present," she revealed in a heartfelt video message posted to social media, adding that the news came as a "huge shock."