The Prince of Wales is expected to spend his 43rd birthday on Saturday privately with his family in Windsor after his wife pulled out of attending Royal Ascot this week.
The Princess of Wales was said to be disappointed that she couldn’t attend the annual race meeting on Wednesday, however it is understood that she is still trying to find the balance between returning to royal duties and focusing on her recovery from cancer treatment last year.
Kate’s public appearances have increased in recent weeks. On Monday she attended the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and Trooping the Colour the previous Saturday. She also carried out a solo engagement, visiting the V&A museum’s new storage facility in east London.
The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte during Trooping The Colour last Saturday
SAMIR HUSSEIN/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES
It is understood that the princess is trying to find the right balance as she fully returns to public-facing engagements, and builds in flexibility to her schedule to allow her to rest when required. William wishes to protect his family’s privacy as he supports the princess in her return to work.
Kate announced in January that she was in remission from cancer after several months of chemotherapy last year. In November, William described the family’s ordeal as “brutal” and “probably the hardest year in my life”.
However, the princess has spoken about her desire to get back to work with a “fulfilling” year in 2025. On Friday, she issued a statement praising the “life-changing work” of the UK’s children’s hospices.
Paying tribute to the support provided by 54 institutions that specialise in caring for young people at the end of their lives, she said that the care workers lift “spirits through laughter, fun and play”.
Kate speaks to Katherine Field on a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital in London in January
CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
In a written message posted on social media, the princess said: “No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life.
“Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heartbroken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated.”
Speaking in her role as royal patron of two children’s hospices, Kate added: “Being able to access the support of one of the UK’s 54 children’s hospices means they don’t have to face that future alone.
“As patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children’s hospices.
“Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond.
“This Children’s Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales at Pontypridd Market in south Wales in February. Kate is a patron of the nearby Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice
AARON CHOWN/PA
The national Children’s Hospice Week is led by children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives and the event is dedicated to raising awareness of children’s hospice services.
Nick Carroll, chief executive officer of Together for Short Lives, said of the princess: “Her ongoing support for Children’s Hospice Week over many years has helped to raise much-needed awareness of the life-changing work children’s hospices do, every day of the year.
“Their extraordinary lifeline care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses enables families to make the most of their lives together, whether that’s for years, months or only hours.”