Catherine, Princess of Wales, will attend the Wimbledon Men’s final in London on Sunday as she recovers after being diagnosed with cancer, her Kensington Palace office said.
“The Princess of Wales, Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club will attend the Gentlemen’s Singles Final of The Championships, Wimbledon on Sunday 14th July,” the palace said in a press release.
Trophy presentation by Kate is expected
UK media reports indicate that the princess will also present the trophy to the winner, with Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic facing off against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. This marks a significant public appearance for Catherine, who last month made a tentative return to royal duties at a military parade celebrating King Charles III’s official birthday.
Gradual return to public life
The 42-year-old future queen appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony to enthusiastic cheers, nearly three months after revealing her chemotherapy treatment. She had been absent from public engagements since attending a Christmas Day service the previous year.
In her earlier statement, Kate expressed that she was “making good progress” but acknowledged, “I’m not out of the woods yet.” She expressed her eagerness to participate in more public engagements over the summer.
Public reaction and family support
Angela Perry, a teacher from Reading, commented on Kate’s return, stating, “She’s our future queen. She’s so important,” adding that the princess’s reemergence is “reassuring.” This announcement followed news that King Charles had also been diagnosed with cancer, though neither has disclosed the specifics of their conditions.
Charles, 75, resumed public duties in April after receiving positive feedback from doctors regarding his recovery and has since participated in commemorative events in northern France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Managing expectations
Royal officials are keen to manage expectations regarding Catherine’s public appearances, noting that her participation will depend on her ongoing treatment and recovery. Kate has shared that she experiences “good days and bad days” and is “taking each day as it comes.”
During this time, Princess Anne has taken on additional responsibilities in the royal family, though she recently required hospitalization for a concussion sustained in a horseback riding incident. Anne, 73, has since returned to her duties.
Catherine and her husband, Prince William, celebrated her comeback on social media, writing, “Super trooper! So great to see you back so soon!” and signing it with “W and C x.”