Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, will assume her first significant royal responsibility since completing chemotherapy, with a prominent engagement scheduled for next week.
It has been revealed that she will partake in the Emir of Qatar's state visit to the U.K. with other members of the Royal Family. Kate, now recuperating from cancer, will accompany her husband, Prince William, in welcoming Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his first wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, at Kensington Palace on Tuesday, December 3.
Prince William and Princess Kate are scheduled to accompany the couple to the Horse Guards Parade, where they will have a formal reception before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla, Express UK reported. Presentations will be conducted, a royal salute will take place, and the Qatari national anthem will be performed.
The Emir and Sheikha Jawaher will accompany King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate in a carriage parade along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will be received by an additional guard of honor. According to Kensington Palace, Kate will not attend the lavish state luncheon held by the King at Buckingham Palace, where royal guests are anticipated to don tiaras.
The 42-year-old princess has made only a few public appearances in 2024 following her significant stomach surgery in January and subsequent cancer diagnosis. Last month, Princess Kate unexpectedly visited with her husband, Prince William, to meet the grieving families of the Southport assault victims, BBC reported. She also commemorated the fallen soldiers during Remembrance celebrations earlier this month.
In a video published in September, the princess announced the completion of her chemotherapy treatment. Princess Kate anticipated returning to work and participating in additional public engagements in the forthcoming months. However, she emphasized her commitment to "doing what I can to stay cancer-free."
Princess Kate is anticipated to attend Westminster Abbey on Friday, December 6, for her annual Christmas Carol Concert, with preparations for this year's event underway.
The Emir and Sheikha Jawaher will arrive at London Stansted Airport next Monday afternoon for their two-day tour. The following day, the duo is scheduled to attend a distinctive display concerning Qatar at Buckingham Palace. They will also visit Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster.
On the morning of December 4, the Emir will visit the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before proceeding to Buckingham Palace to bid farewell to the King and Queen properly. Before his departure, the Emir will confer with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street. Qatar, a prominent affluent Gulf state, serves as a crucial mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
However, the nation has encountered censure regarding its human rights record, particularly with the criminalization of same-sex unions. King Charles visited the country eight times as the Prince of Wales and encountered the Emir at the Cop28 summit in Dubai in December.
The Qatari leader and Sheikha Jawaher also participated in the King's coronation at Westminster Abbey and the late Queen's funeral. Sheikh Tamim, 44, received his education in Britain, attending the Sherborne and Harrow public schools, and subsequently graduated from the Sandhurst military academy. In 2005, he established Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which owns the French football club Paris Saint-Germain.
Princess Kate's resumption to royal duties has elicited varied responses online. “Princess Kate is an inspiration! Her resilience in the face of adversity is remarkable," one netizen shared. “Should Kate be rushing back to duty so soon? Health should come first," a royal fan stated.
“Engaging with Qatar sends a conflicting message about human rights values," another X user said. “Seeing Kate back at work is uplifting—she’s a symbol of strength," a fourth netizen added.
“The Princess of Wales is redefining what it means to serve in challenging times," another netizen responded. “Proud to see Kate back on duty. She’s showing the world what determination looks like," a sixth royal fan furthered.
Business Times has reached out to Princess Kate for comments.
