Princess Catherine looked flawless at Trooping the Colour—but there was a quiet battle behind the scenes
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Health updates from within the Royal Family are often carefully managed, but sometimes the truth behind the headlines is more sobering than anyone imagined.
What appeared to be a brave public appearance last year now carries a far more serious weight, with new revelations shedding light on the princess' condition.
Details have now emerged that paint a much graver picture of what was happening behind the scenes.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, made a dazzling appearance at Trooping the Colour on 15 June last year, all smiles and elegance in a Jenny Packham dress and formal hat.
But what the public didn’t know then was that beneath that carefully curated exterior, she was enduring a private health battle that, by new accounts, was far more serious than anyone imagined.
According to royal editor Rebecca English, when Princess Catherine showed up for the monarch’s official birthday celebrations in 2024, she was in the middle of chemotherapy and had a port fitted in her chest—a semi-permanent device used to deliver intensive treatments like chemo and antibiotics. It had been hidden beneath her outfit that day, completely invisible to the public eye.
‘This small device was inserted under the skin and kept in place until her treatment (delivered via the port through a special needle and a thin tube in vein close to the heart) was over, several weeks later,’ English revealed.
The revelation followed reports that the princess had been ‘seriously unwell’ even before her cancer diagnosis and had undergone ‘serious’ abdominal surgery earlier in the year.
And that word—‘serious’—has taken centre stage in recent updates.
Until now, few details were available. Kensington Palace had been notably silent on the specifics of Princess Catherine’s diagnosis. It wasn’t until January that the public learned she had been receiving treatment at Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. During an emotional visit to the facility, Princess Catherine spoke about the ‘secrecy’ surrounding her care and how she had to use side entrances for ‘so many quiet visits’.
The public appearance at Trooping the Colour was, in hindsight, even more remarkable considering what she was enduring in private. According to English, Princess Catherine had been going ‘to hell and back’.
It wasn’t until March that the princess herself confirmed the extent of her health challenges in a video posted to social media. She announced she had cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
But after that, she largely vanished from public view, only re-emerging six months later in a serene video alongside Prince William and their children—an idyllic scene filmed beneath an ancient oak tree, symbolising healing and family unity.
‘It was a literal lifeline—which offers no cast-iron guarantee of success, even if you are a royal,’ English wrote of the port used in Princess Catherine’s treatment.
She added: ‘The princess is fortunate to even be speaking of recovery.’
More recently, her absence sparked concern when she suddenly withdrew from attending Royal Ascot just 30 minutes before she was due to arrive—a highly unusual move for an event known for its rigid planning. Reports claimed royal aides were left ‘bewildered and worried’, with rumours briefly circulating that Princess Catherine had either been rushed to hospital or required immediate medical attention.
Source: Youtube/ET Weekly
A source told English that the cancellation was a ‘good reminder that she was really seriously ill last year and underwent a significant period of chemo…It can take years [to recover]’.
Tom Sykes reported similar concerns, citing a ‘well-connected’ source who said the situation was ‘a wake-up call, not a one-off’. The source claimed that Princess Catherine was now ‘recalibrating her entire life’ following what was described as a ‘horrific’ few years.
What this means for her future public appearances is already becoming clearer. While she was expected to attend Wimbledon, which begins on 30 June, and take part in the French state visit in July, the remainder of the year may see far fewer appearances.
An overseas tour remains technically on the table, but English noted that it was unlikely. In November, Prince William would attend the Earthshot Prize awards in Rio de Janeiro—possibly without his wife.
‘The princess possibly going is officially still “TBC”,’ English wrote. ‘But my gut feeling is probably not.’
This fresh insight follows a year filled with speculation and concern. And while Princess Catherine has managed to return to the spotlight with her trademark grace, the message is clear: the road to recovery is long, and being ‘back’ doesn’t necessarily mean life has returned to normal.
As English put it earlier this year, the Princess of Wales has ‘been to hell and back’.
But as this latest episode shows, there is ‘back’—and then there is truly back.
With such a long road to recovery ahead, do you think public figures like Princess Catherine should feel pressure to return to royal duties so quickly? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we took a look at how Princess Catherine marked a special milestone with warmth and grace—despite everything she had been through.
Moments like these remind us just how important it is to celebrate life, especially after facing serious health challenges.
If you missed that touching glimpse into her birthday celebrations, it’s well worth revisiting.
Read more: Royal celebration: See how Princess Catherine spent her special day!
What appeared to be a brave public appearance last year now carries a far more serious weight, with new revelations shedding light on the princess' condition.
Details have now emerged that paint a much graver picture of what was happening behind the scenes.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, made a dazzling appearance at Trooping the Colour on 15 June last year, all smiles and elegance in a Jenny Packham dress and formal hat.
But what the public didn’t know then was that beneath that carefully curated exterior, she was enduring a private health battle that, by new accounts, was far more serious than anyone imagined.
According to royal editor Rebecca English, when Princess Catherine showed up for the monarch’s official birthday celebrations in 2024, she was in the middle of chemotherapy and had a port fitted in her chest—a semi-permanent device used to deliver intensive treatments like chemo and antibiotics. It had been hidden beneath her outfit that day, completely invisible to the public eye.
Catherine smiled through private treatment ordeal. Image source: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales
‘This small device was inserted under the skin and kept in place until her treatment (delivered via the port through a special needle and a thin tube in vein close to the heart) was over, several weeks later,’ English revealed.
The revelation followed reports that the princess had been ‘seriously unwell’ even before her cancer diagnosis and had undergone ‘serious’ abdominal surgery earlier in the year.
And that word—‘serious’—has taken centre stage in recent updates.
Until now, few details were available. Kensington Palace had been notably silent on the specifics of Princess Catherine’s diagnosis. It wasn’t until January that the public learned she had been receiving treatment at Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. During an emotional visit to the facility, Princess Catherine spoke about the ‘secrecy’ surrounding her care and how she had to use side entrances for ‘so many quiet visits’.
The public appearance at Trooping the Colour was, in hindsight, even more remarkable considering what she was enduring in private. According to English, Princess Catherine had been going ‘to hell and back’.
It wasn’t until March that the princess herself confirmed the extent of her health challenges in a video posted to social media. She announced she had cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
But after that, she largely vanished from public view, only re-emerging six months later in a serene video alongside Prince William and their children—an idyllic scene filmed beneath an ancient oak tree, symbolising healing and family unity.
‘It was a literal lifeline—which offers no cast-iron guarantee of success, even if you are a royal,’ English wrote of the port used in Princess Catherine’s treatment.
She added: ‘The princess is fortunate to even be speaking of recovery.’
More recently, her absence sparked concern when she suddenly withdrew from attending Royal Ascot just 30 minutes before she was due to arrive—a highly unusual move for an event known for its rigid planning. Reports claimed royal aides were left ‘bewildered and worried’, with rumours briefly circulating that Princess Catherine had either been rushed to hospital or required immediate medical attention.
Source: Youtube/ET Weekly
A source told English that the cancellation was a ‘good reminder that she was really seriously ill last year and underwent a significant period of chemo…It can take years [to recover]’.
Tom Sykes reported similar concerns, citing a ‘well-connected’ source who said the situation was ‘a wake-up call, not a one-off’. The source claimed that Princess Catherine was now ‘recalibrating her entire life’ following what was described as a ‘horrific’ few years.
What this means for her future public appearances is already becoming clearer. While she was expected to attend Wimbledon, which begins on 30 June, and take part in the French state visit in July, the remainder of the year may see far fewer appearances.
An overseas tour remains technically on the table, but English noted that it was unlikely. In November, Prince William would attend the Earthshot Prize awards in Rio de Janeiro—possibly without his wife.
‘The princess possibly going is officially still “TBC”,’ English wrote. ‘But my gut feeling is probably not.’
This fresh insight follows a year filled with speculation and concern. And while Princess Catherine has managed to return to the spotlight with her trademark grace, the message is clear: the road to recovery is long, and being ‘back’ doesn’t necessarily mean life has returned to normal.
As English put it earlier this year, the Princess of Wales has ‘been to hell and back’.
But as this latest episode shows, there is ‘back’—and then there is truly back.
With such a long road to recovery ahead, do you think public figures like Princess Catherine should feel pressure to return to royal duties so quickly? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we took a look at how Princess Catherine marked a special milestone with warmth and grace—despite everything she had been through.
Moments like these remind us just how important it is to celebrate life, especially after facing serious health challenges.
If you missed that touching glimpse into her birthday celebrations, it’s well worth revisiting.
Read more: Royal celebration: See how Princess Catherine spent her special day!
