• Though Kate Middleton hasn’t been seen publicly since her unexpected absence from Royal Ascot on June 18 alongside husband Prince William, she’s still at work behind the scenes.
  • The Prince and Princess of Wales held a closed door meeting with philanthropist Melinda French Gates at Windsor Castle on June 25, according to the Court Circular.
  • While the future queen isn’t expected to make any public appearances this week, reports indicate that she’s very likely to attend Wimbledon, which begins on June 30.

Though Kate Middleton hasn’t made her first public appearance since pulling out of Royal Ascot unexpectedly last week, that doesn’t mean she isn’t working behind the scenes.

The Princess of Wales and her husband Prince William received none other than Melinda French Gates at Windsor Castle, according to the Court Circular, which is the official record of past royal engagements. While it’s not known exactly what was discussed at the meeting, the Prince and Princess of Wales “represented their Royal Foundation at the meeting, which focuses on areas including the early years and mental health,” according to Hello!.

Prince William and Kate Middleton on March 10, 2025.

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Melinda French Gates on May 14, 2024.

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French Gates, for her part, is the founder of Pivotal Ventures, an organization which aims to advance equality and give opportunities to women.

The meeting took place behind closed doors at Windsor Castle, not far from William and Kate’s home at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate. No photographs were released from the meeting, and it was a continuation of a busy day for William—earlier in the day, the future king hosted an investiture, also at Windsor Castle.

This isn’t the first time French Gates has collaborated with a member of the royal family on a project. Last October, she partnered with Meghan Markle and Oprah Winfrey to back a digital wellness initiative for young girls, Social Media U, which was announced on October 11—also known as International Day of the Girl.

Kate isn’t expected to be seen publicly this week, but is reportedly likely to attend Wimbledon, which begins next week on June 30. She will also reportedly be involved in French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron’s state visit to the U.K., which will take place from July 8 to July 10. It’s not known at this juncture if Kate will attend the white-tie state banquet.

Kate Middleton in a tiara alongside Prince William at a Buckingham Palace banquet.

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Though she hasn’t appeared publicly in an official capacity, on June 20—two days after her Royal Ascot absence on June 18—the future queen released a personal message in support of Children’s Hospice Week, praising the “extraordinary work” of children’s hospices for “lifting spirits through laughter, fun, and play, as well as listening, holding, caring, and sharing.” Kate is patron of East Anglia Children’s Hospices as well as Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice.

Kate “might be back, but she’s doing it sensibly, and on her own terms,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward told Hello! on June 24. “Her priorities have changed, and she’s listening to her body instead of being a people pleaser. She’s absolutely got to be strict with herself and say, ‘No, I can’t do this.’”

Kate Middleton on June 14, 2025.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton on June 16, 2025.

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“Maybe we’ve been lulled into a sense that we’ll be seeing her all the time again, because she looks so amazing,” Seward continued. “But it must be an effort to look like that when you’re not 100 percent full of energy.”

As Kate said herself when she announced she was in remission back in January, “I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am, however, looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to.”