Kate Middleton’s Earth-Shattering 2024 Was the ‘Calm Before the Storm’ as Legacy Defining Future Begins
Kate Middleton is at the center of a defining moment in her royal life. After an earth-shattering 2024, the Princess of Wales is enjoying the “calm before the storm” as she steps into a legacy-defining future. 2025 will bring a different set of challenges for Kate as she manages her health and adapts to changes for other senior royals.
After a rocky 2024, Kate Middleton faces big changes in her royal role
Kate Middleton began 2024 with abdominal surgery. However, she likely never imagined a cancer diagnosis would be in her future. And that she would spend the next nine months battling the disease.
The Princess of Wales was criticized for not sharing enough information about her health. She found herself at the center of a firestorm of speculation after a Mother’s Day photoshop fail. On her own time, she shared details of her diagnosis, recovery, and news that she had concluded cancer treatment. Kate appeared publicly when she was able, and slowly made her way back into royal life.
As the year ends, Kate finds herself at a crossroads personally and professionally. A royal insider tells People Magazine, “There’s a sense of calm before the storm. They [Kate and Prince William] are next in line for the biggest job of their lives. And of course, Kate’s health has taken priority, but it’s also allowed everyone to take a step back and figure out what’s important right now.”
What does 2025 hold for Kate Middleton?
Kate Middleton continues to ease her way back to a regular palace workload. Her focus is on her health and ensuring she is well enough to care for her family.
The new year will likely follow a pattern set by the princess in 2024, where she and William put their family first before their duties to the crown. Kate continues to follow her doctor’s orders and heeds medical advice before further immersing herself in regular forward-facing duties.
People Magazine quoted Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, about Kate Middleton’s plans for the new year. Anderson believes that the Princess of Wales will try to maintain a flexible schedule in 2025.
“They [the palace] can’t raise people’s expectations with lots of engagements only for her to face a setback, not feel well, and things are canceled,” Anderson explained. “The strategy of an unexpected visit gives her flexibility. She doesn’t have the pressure of feeling she has to turn up.”
How King Charles’ and Camilla Parker Bowles’ health challenges could affect Kate
Both King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles faced health challenges in 2024. The king, 76, and queen consort, 77, had their work schedules upended when Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer earlier this year.
Reportedly, the king continues cancer treatment. He was forced to step back from some critical royal engagements. Camilla and his son, Prince William, stood in.
However, Camilla has also battled health challenges this year, including a bout with pneumonia in November. Friends continue to worry for her health, as Camilla is tasked with more royal duties while the king continues treatment.
Therefore, Kate Middleton may be forced to take on more roles due to the king and queen consort’s continued health challenges. However, the Waleses will likely take the time they need to ready themselves for their inevitable succession, or modified royal roles, as 2025 progresses.
