The Princess of Wales was notably absent from the state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla for the Emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night. Kensington Palace had confirmed in advance that Kate, 42, would not attend the white-tie dinner after participating in the official welcome for Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani earlier in the day.
Kate, alongside Prince William, greeted the royal guests at their private residence before joining a ceremonial procession to Buckingham Palace. The couple also attended a luncheon and visited an exhibition showcasing Qatari treasures in the Picture Gallery.
This marked a rare public engagement for the Princess, who has made limited appearances in 2024 due to her ongoing recovery from major abdominal surgery in January and a subsequent cancer diagnosis. Her first major public event of the year was at Trooping the Colour in June, followed by a visit to the Wimbledon Men’s Final in July.
In a heartfelt video message in September, Kate shared that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, with the Palace noting her return to public duties would be gradual. Despite this, she expressed her focus on staying cancer-free, with an optimistic outlook for the months ahead.
Her next significant public appearance will be this Friday, when she hosts her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. The event, which will include royal family members, aims to reflect on the importance of community and support during difficult times.
Additionally, each of the 1,600 guests at the service will receive a personal letter from Kate, who writes about love as “the greatest gift we can receive.” The Abbey will be decorated with sustainable holiday foliage, and a “Kindness Tree” will stand outside, allowing guests to dedicate a decoration to someone who has offered them support.
Kate’s ongoing return to royal duties shows her resilience and commitment to her work, while also prioritizing her health and well-being.
