On Thursday, September 4, Kate Middleton made her much-anticipated return to royal duties after a seven-week absence, appearing alongside her husband Prince William for an official engagement at the Natural History Museum in London. At 43, the Princess of Wales was visibly appreciative of being back in public view.
She and Prince William visited the museum’s gardens—an area Kate has supported since 2013—which are now being used as teaching tools for students. While meeting with a group of schoolchildren taking part in those educational programs, a sudden downpour interrupted the event. Kate, holding up an umbrella, turned to the teachers and said, “Let them go in, let’s take them inside, it’s pouring.”
Later, as they arrived at the museum door, Kate told one of the organizers, “Sorry it’s been such a long time for me to come back,” seemingly acknowledging her absence from royal engagements. Inside the activity center, she added, “Sorry we are a bit wet. It was nice and dry and then suddenly within seconds, it was such a lovely day.” William chimed in with a lighter note: “But it’s nature, in amongst nature.”
Photographs of the event also showed Kate with noticeably lighter hair—a switch from her usual darker brown, styled in loose long curls. For the occasion she wore a brown blazer over a white shirt, combining formality and comfort
Kate’s absence comes after undergoing treatment for cancer. She publicly shared in early 2024 that she had been diagnosed and was receiving chemotherapy. In January 2025, she announced that she was in remission.
While in remission, her schedule has been gradually ramped up, but she’s been balancing public duties with recovery. Some appearances have been delayed or canceled (“last-minute absences”) as she navigates the challenges of post-treatment recovery.
In particular, she described the period after treatment as “really, really difficult,” pointing out that people often expect a smooth return to “normal,” but recovery can be emotionally and physically rocky.
People.com