Prince William is set to return to royal duties on Thursday, marking his first public engagements since his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, revealed her cancer diagnosis in March.
William is scheduled to visit Surrey and West London to “highlight the positive impact organizations in the area are making through their work in the community and the environment”, Kensington Palace said on Tuesday. He will visit a food redistribution charity and a youth center.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been noticeably absent from public engagements in recent months, as they have been privately dealing with the news of Kate’s cancer diagnosis. The news of the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis was shared with the public on March 22, following months of speculation around her absence from the public eye. She revealed that she is undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified form of cancer.
In the weeks before the news was made public, Prince William canceled a number of public engagements, including a memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece. The couple also missed Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle, a typically high-profile annual event.
A public return has yet to be announced for Kate, who first stepped back from royal responsibilities in January following a planned abdominal surgery. She was expected to return to royal duties after Easter, but her return has been postponed until she is given medical clearance.
In a video message at the time, Kate appealed for privacy. “We hope that you’ll understand that as a family we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment,” she said. “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy, and I look forward to being back when I am able. But for now, I must focus on making a full recovery.”