The royal calendar experienced a sudden shake-up on May 24 when King Charles and Prince William unexpectedly canceled their engagements. This decision coincided with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's announcement of a special election for July 4. Buckingham Palace issued a statement explaining the postponement of royal appearances to avoid any diversion from the election campaign, offering sincere apologies to those affected.

While King Charles and Prince William are still expected to participate in several June events, one prominent royal figure remains conspicuously absent: Princess Kate. Kensington Palace confirmed that the Princess of Wales would not attend the dress rehearsal for the annual Trooping the Colour celebration on June 8. "She has canceled everything else as well," a source revealed to InTouch magazine. "It's possible we won't see her until 2025, which would mean a whole year without Kate."

Princess Kate has not made a public appearance since Christmas Day, marking 158 days of absence at the time of this writing. The palace announced in January that she underwent abdominal surgery, and in March, Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis through a heartfelt video. "But she insisted she was getting better every day," the source said. Despite this reassurance, her prolonged absence has fueled concerns. "Now, with the news that she may not resume her royal duties until 2025, everyone is fearing the worst. The truth is, Kate is in the fight of her life."

The royal family has tried to quell these concerns. "She's doing well, thank you," Prince William, 41, told a well-wisher on May 10. Additionally, Kate's Royal Foundation Business Task Force for Early Childhood unveiled a significant new report on May 20. "The work on the princess' projects is 'always on,'" her spokesperson stated, emphasizing that early childhood remains a top priority for Kate and that she is kept fully updated.

For now, Kate, 42, continues her recovery in private. "She's still recovering, and her doctors haven't given her the green light to get back to work full-time yet. Going through chemotherapy has been particularly rough on her," the source noted. The treatment, known for its harsh side effects, has left her frail and concerned about her ability to handle public engagements. "Kate was already skinny to begin with, so she's very frail and afraid she won't be able to give her all to an official engagement right now."

Her eventual return to public life is anticipated to attract significant media attention. "She's been away so long that she'll be under the intense glare of the spotlight—people will be analyzing every tiny detail of her appearance," the source added. Kate, often praised for her polished presence and flawless style, "wouldn't want to show up looking anything less than her best. Everyone has always expected her to be perfect at all times." It is likely that she will release another video before making any public appearances, which in itself is a daunting prospect.

Kate has faced numerous conspiracy theories and public scrutiny since her illness became known. "She's been subjected to so many conspiracy theories since she got sick. Who knows what people will come up with next?" the source lamented. Despite the pressure to return to public service, the princess understands the importance of prioritizing her health. "It's sad because she could do a lot of good if she visited fellow cancer patients as Charles did recently, and she's under an enormous amount of pressure to get back to public service. But it's also understandable that she'd want to stay in hiding."

Though largely out of the public eye, Kate has not been completely secluded. "When she's felt up to it, she's been out and about, running errands, hiking outdoors, and even seeing friends," the source shared. Social media users have claimed to see Kate at various private events, including a dinner party hosted by her and William and an event at their children's school in Berkshire. "Kate has made it a priority not to disrupt her kids' busy schedules," the source added, noting the support of her mother, Carole Middleton, in caring for George, 10, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6.

Prince William has also stepped up during this challenging time, balancing his royal duties with increased involvement at home. Despite the added responsibilities, he has made extra efforts to spend time with their children. "He has also gotten more involved at school. They're both trying to keep their home life as normal as possible," the source said.

The Middleton family's ordeal is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by those in the public eye. "This has obviously been the most difficult and terrifying time imaginable for them," the source said. The royal family, perhaps having learned from past experiences, is allowing Kate the space she needs. "Kate will be back when she's good and ready," the source concluded.