Kate Middleton’s Rare Wimbledon Appearance Amid Cancer Treatment

Kate Middleton attended Wimbledon on Sunday, July 14, for the men’s singles final. The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from the public eye due to her cancer treatment, but she made an exception this weekend for an event she is particularly passionate about. Joining her at the event were her sister, Pippa Middleton, and her daughter, Princess Charlotte.

As the royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Kate Middleton has a longstanding connection with Wimbledon. Known for her love of tennis, she usually makes a significant appearance at the tournament every summer. However, this year, her ongoing cancer treatment raised doubts about her attendance. Fans were pleasantly surprised to see her take her seat in the Royal Box above Centre Court. According to a report by PEOPLE, Middleton will fulfill her customary ceremonial duty of presenting trophies to the winners.

The crowd erupted in applause when Middleton arrived on the court. She smiled and waved as they gave her a standing ovation. This appearance marked Kate Middleton’s second public outing in 2024, the first being the annual Trooping the Colour parade with the royal family. Middleton has asked for privacy during her treatment, which included preventative chemotherapy. Her earlier public statements indicated a focus on achieving a full recovery over resuming work immediately.

Middleton did not attend the women’s singles final on Saturday. However, she and her 9-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, took the time to meet female players on Sunday before the match began. Prince William did not accompany them, as he was attending to his commitments. As the president of the Football Association, he traveled to Germany for England’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 championship.

Middleton’s health became a focal point in January when she underwent an undisclosed abdominal surgery, resulting in a longer-than-expected hospital stay. Her extended recovery led to the cancellation or postponement of all her public engagements for several months, sparking speculation among royal watchers. Eventually, Middleton announced that the surgery had revealed cancer, necessitating chemotherapy among other treatments. She requested “time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment.”

The specific type and severity of Middleton’s cancer have not been disclosed, and royal family spokespeople have stated that such details will remain private. Similarly, King Charles III’s ongoing cancer treatment, which did not include chemotherapy, also remains largely undisclosed. Both Middleton and King Charles III have managed to return to some public duties, but it is uncertain when they will resume their regular schedules.

Source: PEOPLE