On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Kate Middleton was spotted running a very ordinary errand that the average person would do – there was no entourage, just the Princess of Wales trying to check off an item on her to-do list. DeuxMoi spotted Kate shopping for eyewear at Finlay’s in the Notting Hill area of London.
She sported a dark overcoat with a plaid scarf to keep her warm from the U.K. winter chill. She appeared very focused on her purchase as she engaged in conversation with the eyewear employee. The outing was so low-key, we are surprised the paparazzi even managed to capture the moment. The good news is that Kate can resume her normal duties after her health scare in 2024. (You can see the photos here.)
The Princess of Wales revealed on Jan. 14 that she’s in remission from her cancer battle, but she’s still cautious about her royal return. Her official appearances will likely reflect her 2024 calendar to make sure she doesn’t overexert herself after such a traumatic year.
“You think the treatment has finished and you can crack on and get back to normal, but that’s still a real challenge,” Kate said at her recent visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, per People. “The words totally disappear. And understanding that as a patient – yes, there are side effects around treatment, but actually there are more long-term side effects.”
Kate is expected to make a “show-stopping” red carpet return to the BAFTA Awards on Feb. 16. “William and Kate love to watch the nominated films beforehand and we know Kate enjoys meeting those working in the film industry,” a Daily Mail source revealed. “We have been told that she wouldn’t want to miss it, so she’s hoping to be there with William.”
The Princess of Wales will continue to keep a “less is more” approach to her schedule in the coming months. Robert Jobson, author of Catherine: The Princess of Wales, told Hello! in November that she will likely “come back in stages.” He added, “I do think that we will start to see a lot more of her and that she will carry out engagements as well as continue to work behind the scenes. But rather than travel all over the country all the time, like she used to, I think she will concentrate on more impactful events.”
So, Kate is officially back to her everyday routine while her royal appearances will ramp up once she’s confident her health is back on track. She’s focusing on her three kids and the household details that need to be taken care of because these moments are more precious after her health battle.
