Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has perpetually been a crucial part of the royal household. Her return to public life was heralded by the palace, public, and press alike. However, as she continues to battle cancer, her reappearance on the royal roster is a double-edged sword for Kensington Palace. Going forward, every event where we might hope to see Catherine in the coming month will now come with an anticipation and a hopefulness that wasn’t there before the Trooping return. It’s a double-edged sword because everything else could end up translating to raised hopes being dashed again and again.

As Wimbledon, one of the most prestigious events in the sporting calendar, approaches, speculation is rife about whether the Princess of Wales will attend. Experts and royal watchers have expressed growing concern over the potential absence of the princess from this iconic event, raising questions about her current engagements and well-being. Amidst the latest updates bringing us a glimmer of hope, the head of a prominent British sporting event is optimistic that the princess will be healthy enough to present awards at a championship final this summer. They’re willing to offer Catherine as much flexibility as possible if she feels well enough to present the men’s and women’s singles final trophies this year.

However, Catherine’s tentative hope to attend more events in the coming weeks does not signal her official return to public life as a working royal. Any events she attends are unlikely to be announced in advance to allow her to assess her health closer to the time in consultation with her doctors. Catherine’s possible absence from Wimbledon 2024 has prompted some chatter about how she’s doing. It’s a possibility while also acknowledging potential drawbacks. “I’ve said for a while that if Catherine misses Wimbledon in July, there is something very serious going on,” one person wrote on X. While this person may be trying to suggest something grim about Catherine’s condition, it could also be said that any kind of cancer is serious and that Catherine, her husband Prince William, and the rest of her family are clearly taking her recovery very seriously.

The strain of the appearance was palpable. Catherine has been spending most of her time at Amner Hall in Norfolk, resting and recuperating with Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. “Catherine was exhausted afterward,” an insider said. “It was a long day, and it took a lot out of her.” While Catherine has chosen not to reveal the specific type of cancer she’s battling, her decision to be open about her experience is a testament to her character. “That’s why she wrote that June post,” the insider explained. “She absolutely has bad days and that’s something she wouldn’t have shared in the past, but now she’s attempting to turn her negative into a positive.”

“I think that’s too soon, and she’ll be so exposed in the Royal Box,” said someone about Princess Catherine sitting in the stands for the men’s or women’s singles final. “I mean, she’s mad about tennis. I would think she might be a little too exposed there.” As for the previous Royal Family Estate visit from Japan, Seward called an appearance by the princess unlikely. In an Instagram post dated June 14th, Catherine shared details of her cancer battle and news of a potential return to public life. The Princess of Wales’ full royal return remains undetermined.

The Princess Royal revealed health details in a message attached to a photo shared on social media on June 14th, 2024. She posed outdoors on the grounds of her Windsor home, looking away from the camera. Her health is improving, and she has a renewed zest for life. She’s thankful for the public’s love, which has given her a huge boost. She was so happy to be able to see the support from her family and be back on duty as a united force. Duty and service are very important to her, and she’s carried out her service with courage, dignity, and strength.

The unity and strength of the royal family were evident during the Trooping the Colour event as they appeared together on the Buckingham Palace balcony. This display of solidarity amidst Catherine’s health struggles highlighted the close-knit bond within the family, bringing them closer together during this challenging time.