Kate Middleton’s Summer Vacation Reflected Her Post-Cancer Year

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s yacht vacation to Greece was surrounded in mystery, but that seems to be exactly the way they wanted it.

Their three kids, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, wanted an “adventure” this summer, but Kate is still laying low after her cancer battle in 2024. That’s why they chose the ultra-private yacht holiday off the island of Kefalonia, according to Us Weekly.

“It was just what Kate needed — a family-focused trip to help her recovery and emotional well-being,” a palace insider told the media outlet. “William just wants her to be happy and rested. It was a great way to achieve that and have everyone together.”

Prince William, Prince George, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte watch the flypast to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 05, 2025 in London, England.
Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images.

There has been much discussion about the Princess of Wales scaling back her royal duties to prioritize her health and family life. The source confirmed that notion and emphasized that she would rather be with her children than “in a ballgown.” Her schedule is also handled on a day-to-day basis because “she’s focused on her recovery.” This part-time royal situation is understandable for Kate, given her health battle, but it’s not working as well for William.

The Daily Mail has been actively criticizing the Prince of Wales’ decision to move their family to a more remote “forever home” in Windsor at Forest Lodge. The U.K. publication noted that William “hiding away in Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate could result in an even greater collapse of support among his subjects.” It’s another level of criticism lodged at him for not having a stronger work ethic.

It was understandable for William to step away during Kate’s medical crisis, but now, his critics expect him to step up. Still, the Prince of Wales has been vocal about his future ambitions when he’s on the throne, and they involve fewer royal patronages.

“You have to remain focused; if you spread yourself too thin, you just can’t manage it and you won’t deliver the impact or the change that you really want to happen,” he told the print media in November 2023 during his Singapore tour, via Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor of The Sunday Times on X.

But the philanthropy community did not care for his plans. “These comments will be very concerning to a lot of charities that have relied on their royal patrons for generations. It is almost impossible to raise any serious amount of money in Britain without a royal patron,” said a source to The Daily Beast.

Kate and William’s decision to put family first may come at a cost to the throne, and that’s why the anti-monarchists have something to say about every royal appearance and even their family vacation.

Before you go, click here to find out which tell-all books expose major royal family secrets.