She's Missing from Diplomats' Reception - Kate Middleton returns to royal duties after cancer remission in 2025
Princess Kate, also known as Kate Middleton, has returned to public duties after successfully completing cancer treatment and entering remission in early 2025. On Wednesday, she delivered her first speech in two years at the Future Workforce Summit in London. Later that evening, she and Prince William are set to attend the Royal Variety Performance together.
The move marks a steady return to royal engagements following her health battle, though she was notably absent from Tuesday’s Diplomatic Reception at Windsor Castle.
The annual Diplomatic Reception took place on November 18, 2025, at Windsor Castle—a change from its usual Buckingham Palace location due to ongoing renovations. King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William greeted members of the diplomatic corps, but Princess Kate did not attend. No official reason was given for her absence.
This year’s event was the first time since 2001 that the reception was held at Windsor. The gathering honours foreign diplomats accredited to the Court of St. James, offering royals a chance to meet international representatives. Princess Kate last attended the reception in December 2023, where she wore a pink sequined gown and Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.
In 2024, she missed the event while undergoing cancer treatment, which concluded successfully by September of that year. Her return to public life has been gradual, with her speech at the Future Workforce Summit marking a significant step. The Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday evening will be her first joint appearance with Prince William since her recovery.
Princess Kate’s remission and return to engagements signal a new phase for the royal family. Her speech at the Future Workforce Summit and upcoming appearance at the Royal Variety Performance highlight her renewed public role. Meanwhile, the Diplomatic Reception proceeded without her, maintaining tradition despite the change in venue.
