Cancer changes you, even if, like Kate Middleton, you are lucky enough to recover from it. And the Princess of Wales has been dealing with the repercussions of her cancer journey ever since she announced she was in remission earlier this year. She’s gone back to royal duties and has generally put on a good face, but things have not really returned to what they were before.
Now, new reports indicate she is “quietly rebelling” against the expectations of royal life and has chosen not to take on as many public duties as before, work less, and prioritize her family more. According to RadarOnline.com, the cancer helped Middleton see what her priorities really should be. The outlet reports that close friends to Middleton say she wants to “slow down” and “completely simplify her life,” even if that means taking on fewer royal engagements.
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“Kate understands now that life’s too short to keep agreeing to every demand. Her cancer battle really shifted her perspective,” a senior royal source told the outlet. “She wants to put her family, her wellbeing, and her peace of mind first. It’s not rebellion for the sake of drama – it’s about setting her own rhythm, even if that means quietly resisting royal expectations.”
The Princess has indeed returned to public life, but has done so slowly and has at times—like when she decided not to attend the Royal Ascot—stepped back even when people expected her to show up. “She’s stopped trying to please everyone,” a source said. “Her outlook is different now, and she’s finally paying attention to what her body and mind need.”
And though part of it is, of course, her focus on recovery, insiders also indicate the Princess is trying to create a “healthier balance” that allows her to be more present for her kids, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
“She’s finally learned the power of saying no. Before her illness, she felt a huge responsibility to shoulder the demands of royal life with William. Now, she understands she can serve without losing herself in the process,” sources say.
But those sources also say that it hasn’t really gone over well with the rest of the British royal family. “There’s definitely been some quiet friction,” a palace source said. “Some senior royals want her to increase her workload now that she’s in remission. But Kate’s been firm that she’ll come back at her own pace – she refuses to be pushed.”
Some sources indicate that’s what the much-talked-about change from brunette to blonde was about. “Kate switched things up for a couple of weeks,” an insider told RadarOnline.com. “Her cancer battle was grueling, and she wanted to put it behind her. Not only did she get a new house with William, she got a new ‘do! It wasn’t a subtle change, and no doubt that was the intention.”
The Princess of Wales returned to her brunette locks pretty soon after. Unlike the hair, though, it seems like the change in how much time she wants to dedicate to royal duties and how much to her family is going to stick.