All eyes are on her, and naturally, on the sparkling tiaras and jewels she will adorn with unparalleled elegance. Signs indicate that the Princess of Wales is gradually returning to her royal duties, including some revealing details that suggest a stunning new strategy for her re-emergence.
Westminster Abbey in London was reportedly on the agenda when Catherine held a planning meeting on September 24, 2024. The most apparent interpretation of this meeting is that it signals the princess is on the path back to normalcy after a tumultuous year that has shaken the monarchy to its core.
There is a strong argument to be made that the royal family has always been in the entertainment business. Typically, she is spotted at Westminster Abbey in early December to record the annual concert, indicating that she could very well join Prince William and their children, as she has in previous years.
On a more promising note, ITV has cleared the schedule and has no plans to replace the concert yet. They’re checking in weekly for any updates they can assist with, or simply taking the pressure off as they wait to see if Catherine’s carols at Christmas will restore some normality to what has been a traumatic year for the British royal family and their subjects, both in the Commonwealth and around the globe.
It goes without saying that this week's news indicates the princess appears to be on the mend. What comes next for the 42-year-old could see her public appearances remain a fraction of what they used to be, with no foreseeable return to the level of visibility and real-world engagements we have grown accustomed to. Aside from the more toxic corners of Twitter, let’s consider what we actually know about the upcoming months for Catherine.
As one of the most popular royals on record, the princess shouldn’t feel rushed back to work by the House of Windsor. While we have seen much less of Catherine this year, we have also experienced a year where she has frequently and directly communicated with the public. In just the last six months, she has recorded two lengthy videos, commissioned a new portrait, penned an unprecedented personal statement, and shared several cause-related social media messages, all finished with her signature “C” sign-off.
What has become evident this year is a covert redirection of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s energies, along with a notable shift in their communication strategy. We understood, we waited, and we were patient. In this scenario, there would still be real-world outings in her schedule, but we might also witness a marked increase in her social media presence. We can expect more content like her cancer-related videos, along with nearly two minutes of polished and professional footage released by the palace last December, featuring her and her three young children visiting a baby bank. This two-in-one approach allowed Kensington Palace to highlight a deserving organization’s incredible work while enhancing the royal brand.
Throughout her cancer fight and recovery, the princess has consulted closely with her doctors. Her trust in them was evident in the messages she posted on social media regarding her health. There appears to be a clear understanding between the palace and her team that pushing Catherine into a regular schedule of meetings and appearances would be counterproductive to her well-being.
Getting back to her royal duties will be a gradual process, and we shouldn’t expect any major changes overnight. There is no need to push her, and she certainly shouldn’t push herself to meet others’ expectations for her return. She will ease back into her role in her own time. It’s essential to remember that she’s not out of the woods yet, and she must be allowed to set her own pace. This journey is not solely about her; it’s also about her family and their well-being.
