Last year recap; condensed.
Dec 25, Kate does Christmas Day walk in blue outfit; it will be the last time anyone sees her in this way for a long time.
Last year, Dec 28 there were rumblings about an ambulance dispatched to and from Sandringham.
Jan 17, KP announced Kate is undergoing/has undergone a planned abdominal procedure. “The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery.”
Statement noted she’d be back to royal duties after Easter, which fell on 31 March, 2024. William cancels all appointments the same day to be with her and the children - despite his visiting once for 15 minutes.
Jan 18, KP announces she is “doing well.” William does his first and only visit.
Rumors abound that Kate is in a coma; Charles is sneaking to her room to visit.
Jan 29, Kate is discharged and released but not seen.
Feb 7, William attends air ambulance fundraiser. “It’s fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather ‘medical’ focus. So, I thought I’d come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!”
Feb 25, Thomas Kingston dies in murky circumstances, thought to be suicide but not immediately confirmed; Police say they essentially ‘want to rule out any other possibility which is standard.’
Feb 27, William pulls out last minute and unexpectedly of event honoring his godfather in which he was set to give a reading. KP cited “personal matter.”
Throughout the month, Kate Middleton Missing and Where is Kate rule the media and socials. Plastic surgery, bangs growing out, to more serious possibilities like DV, death.
KP releases grouchy, curt message: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant.”
Once again, an update that Kate is “doing well.”
March 4, Kate hires new private secretary Lt. Col. Tom White. Previously served QE2. Internet believe it is a diversion from something serious.
Same day, Kate is spotted with her mother. People far and wide question the validity of photo. British press fall in line due to “massive pressure from KP” (Royal reporter Emily Andrews stressed this) and do not publish the photo.
March 6, Sally Bedell Smith: "She's so central to the monarchy and the future. Everybody feels unsettled by uncertainty, and there is too much uncertainty that is surrounding the monarchy right now."
March 10, due to fever pitch, Kate releases Mother’s Day photo. Immediately, my husband and I comment on how it looks like AI or edited beyond belief. We are surprised to see hours later, not only to do most agree, but there are videos dedicated with red circles to each problematic area. The photo is “killed” by all major news agencies.
March 11, The following day, Kate is thrown under bus, either by herself or others, as the reason for the mishap. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.”
She and the family are “shocked and devastated” by the reaction, as they were trying to “just share some joy with the nation.”
March 12-14 rumors abound that Will is riding in car with Rose Hanbury, not Kate. Rose is written about constantly, and articles are resurfaced about her.
Stephen Colbert makes jokes about the situation, “Now, there have been rumors of an affair between William and [Rose Hanbury] since 2019. According to tabloids back then, when Kate confronted him about it, he laughed it off, saying there was nothing to it. ‘Haha,’ always a good response when your wife accuses you of cheating.” He later apologizes because of the cancer announcement.
March 12, Kate’s name “quietly removed” from Trooping. Trooping is June 15, long after Easter. "Observers noticed that the U.K. Ministry of Defense had claimed on its website that Middleton would be attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 8. Then, on the same day, it quickly and quietly scrubbed the claim after." -Glamour
March 14, reports from sources that Kate is out on the town, smiling and upbeat.
March 18, the infamous farmstand video. Kate is bouncing, walking and smiling. Wearing a pullover with Rugby Football Union logo. People speculate it is not Kate but a Kate lookalike. Famous Kate Lookalike, Heidi Agan, says she 100% believes it’s Kate in video and that it manifestly isn’t her.
March 19, Medical security breach that ends up going nowhere. Mirror reports an employee at TLC “may have” tried to access her medical records. It is said the Firm will investigate throughly.
March 22, Kate sits on bench saying “cancer had been present” and she is undergoing “preventative chemotherapy.” Preventative Chemo is a new phrase, especially to many in the medical industry. It is explained that it is likely adjunct chemotherapy she is referencing. A treatment following another treatment to enhance its effectiveness.
Easter comes and goes, Charles and Camilla attend, Kate and William do not.
April 18, William attends nonprofit. His first appearance since her announcement.
April 29, Instagram post celebrating their anniversary. 13 years ago!
May 21, KP says Kate will not return to public duties until she gets the all-clear from her medical team. Again, William says she is “doing very well.”
June 5, D-Day event with William, Kate absent.
When asked if she is getting better, William says “Yes.”
Sources say her role will look different. That her and William are “closer than ever,” That she is “working silently behind the scenes,” and her team and staff are “reevaluating what her role will look like and what she will be able to take on when she returns,” and perhaps most importantly “She may never come back in the role people saw her in before.” Kate’s priority in her newfound energy and happiness is her children and her incredibly close relationship with William.
June 7, “Kate has turned a corner.” Reports that she is out and about, doing better, but being careful with where she goes and who she see because she is susceptible to illness.
June 14, new image of Kate on Instagram; leaning against tree and looking at sky. “My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home. I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.”
June 15, Kate attends Trooping the Colour. She is wearing an Eliza Doolittle vibe outfit featuring navy and white striped bow. Press and papers marvel at how incredible she looks; how well. Other papers comment on how she seemed quite tired and looks frail.
September 9, a video by Welsh Will Warr of Kate, William and children is released. Much mention of “navigating the road unknown,” not taking things for granted, loving and being loved, kindness, empathy and compassion. She laments how she is looking forward to duty when she “can.” Her journey to healing is “long.” “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
Oct 2, First appearance since completion of chemo with young photographer battling rare form of cancer.
Nov 11, Rembrance Festival Nov 12, Remembrance Sunday; papers talking about the deep closeness of Kate and Sophie. How touching it is that Sophie places her hand on Kate’s back in a show of motherly/sisterly affection and support.
December 6, Together at Christmas is filmed. Carole arrives and is photographed with Lady Gabriella at her side. Much mention of Kate opening up about her cancer journey: “I didn’t know I would have the year I’ve just had.”
December 24, Together at Christmas airs. More press.
December 25, Kate joins Royal Family for Sandringham walk following church service. Much mention of how chatty she is, little releases poking at it; such as how Anne has coached Charlotte to leave conversations without hurting feelings or staying too long something “Kate has struggled with.”
And here we are full circle, the day the ambulance was dispatched last year. Helluva year. Condensed.