A look back at Kate Middleton’s most challenging year yet
As we all take a moment to reflect back on 2024, and its many ups and downs, there are few people in the public eye who’ve had quite as tumultuous a time of it as the Princess of Wales, who is usually most affectionately known as Kate Middleton.
This year, the future Queen has faced everything from conspiracy theories relating to her whereabouts (with some seriously loco rumours doing the rounds), a major health event in the form of a cancer diagnosis and chemo, a Photoshopping ‘scandal’ and much more, along with highs including presenting the men’s trophy at Wimbledon, getting the all-clear from her medical team and once again, hosting her annual carol concert.
Thankfully, and despite all the hardship, it seems the royal has come out on top and is now firmly looking ahead to a more positive 2025, with ample public support in her corner. So much so, in fact, the Princess of Wales is ending the year having been voted the second most popular member of the royal family (just one place behind her husband). Elsewhere, while we’re drilling down into the numbers, Kate’s popularity has actually increased by 8.57% in the last twelve months according to further YouGov polling – perhaps due to the way she spoke so openly and emotionally about the hardships she's faced, making her seem more relatable than ever.
What a wild ride those twelve months have been – here, we take a look back at how the Princess’ difficult year saw her emerge triumphant and the highs and lows she's faced along the way.
January 2024: The Princess asks for privacy following surgery
Unfortunately Kate’s year didn’t get off to the best start when, a week after her 42nd birthday, she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on 16 January. A statement issued by the Palace a day later shared that she would be taking some time away from the spotlight (at least until Easter) in order to recover and kept the details vague.
"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate," part of it read. "She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private."
However, sadly, intrusive speculation around the Princess’ health soon began – despite her privacy requests.
February 2024: ‘Where is Kate?’ conspiracy theories get out of hand
Despite the Palace making it plain the Princess wanted time and privacy to recover, social media was ablaze with #Kategate conspiracy theories as she stepped away from the spotlight, ranging from suggestions that the royal had undergone cosmetic surgery that had gone wrong to the Princess being kidnapped against her will. All of which, the public would later come to learn, were very much inaccurate.
March 2024: The Mother’s Day photo
Possibly in a bid to silence some of the wild stories, the Princess and the Palace comms team released a new photo of Kate and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for Mother’s Day.
A day later, following lots of talk online and in the media that it had been poorly edited (and some photo agencies pulling the image), the Princess issued an apology statement: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C”
March 2024: The Princess announces she has cancer
Putting an end to the rumours once and for all, Kate bravely posted a video of her explaining that she has cancer and is undergoing treatment. Filmed speaking calmly while sat on a bench and wearing a casual striped top and jeans, the Princess said the diagnosis came as a huge shock.
"It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team. In January I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous," the royal said.
She continued on with, "The surgery was successful, however tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I'm now in the early stages of that treatment."
April 2024: The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate 13 years of marriage
In previous years, the couple posted new images of themselves on social media to celebrate their wedding anniversary. In 2024, as Kate was still on hiatus from her public-facing roles, the Prince and Princess instead shared a throwback black and white image along with the caption: “13 years ago today!”
June 2024: Kate thanks the public for their support
In a candid social media post on 15 June 2024, featuring an image of the Princess standing underneath a tree, in a classy move Kate thanked everyone for their kindness. “It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,” she said in a statement, also giving an update on her health.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” the Princess said. “On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well [...] I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.”
June 2024: Trooping the Colour
For her first public outing in six months, Kate attended the Trooping of the Colour celebrations in honour of her father-in-law, King Charles, and joined her family for the famed balcony wave to the gathered crowds. Wearing a white Jenny Packham dress, the Princess was praised for her appearance and many commented how relieved they were to see her looking well.
July 2024: The Princess receives a standing ovation at Wimbledon
As a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), it’s now standard practice for Kate Middleton to present the winners at Wimbledon with a trophy. This year, however, footage of her at the tennis tournament amassed over 50 millions of views worldwide (according to a report from one Australian news outlet) and saw the royal given a standing ovation by the crowd, also suggesting a renewed interest in the royal’s work and evident well wishes.
September 2024: Kate shares that she’s cancer-free
It was the news that millions around the world had been waiting on: the Princess of Wales released an emotional video, featuring footage of her and her children and husband, along with the news that she is now cancer-free.
Given that Kate is such a senior member of the royal family, it’s to be expected that she would share this major health update, but the way in which the Wales matriarch chose to approach it marked a noticeable departure from the royal family’s typical brief and muted statements.
The cinematic yet personal ‘home movie’ style video, with thoughtful narration from the Princess, was something entirely new – and only further cemented Kate’s relatability in the eyes of the public. “The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” she can be heard saying. “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
October 2024: The first royal engagement since her cancer-free video
For her first official royal engagement following her recovery from cancer on 10 October 2024, Kate further cemented herself as the ‘Children’s Princess’ by meeting with the bereaved families of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, who tragically lost their lives when an attacker invaded a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
At the time, it was reported that Kate wanted to show "support, empathy and compassion to the local community". She also met with emergency services crew members who attended the scene.
November 2024: Prince William describes the family’s ‘brutal’ year
Kate’s husband, Prince William, also allowed himself to be vulnerable during an interview as part of his Earthshot work, during which – when asked how he's found the last year – the future King replied, "Honestly, it's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult."
William then went on to reveal how proud he is of both his father, King Charles III, and his wife. "I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done," the future King shared. "But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal."
December 2024: The Princess hosts her annual carol concert
For the fourth year in a row, Kate was able to host her Together at Christmas annual carol concert in Westminster Abbey and appeared in-person alongside William and their children, much to the delight of the public. While there, the Princess delivered an emotional speech on the importance of slowing down and love.
“Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it's also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all,” she said in her address. “It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.
“The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.”
December 2024: The Princess’ last appearance of the year
During the royal family’s traditional Christmas Day trip to church in Sandringham, the Princess of Wales stopped to chat with gathered members of the public – one of whom said that meeting her was a real highlight, and suggested that Kate was back on good form.
Tweeting about the experience, the fan said: "This was the first time the [Princess of Wales] interacted with the public in a year. She’s been so brave [...] She spent about 40 minutes with us, when it was really cold.” They went on to add, "She took time to listen and talk to everyone who had come to see her. I took this picture of her. THAT smile is real and speaks volumes. She was genuinely happy."
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