Despite the tighter privacy around official data, the couple continues to be among the most accessible and engaging members of the royal family in their day-to-day interactions.

Just this week, during a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex, Princess Kate stopped to take selfies with nurses, staff and well-wishers — a casual gesture that would have once been discouraged under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

It was also during this visit that Kate spoke candidly about the challenges of life after cancer treatment. In a heartfelt moment, she admitted that the post-treatment phase had been “really, really difficult,” even more so than the treatment itself.

“You put on a brave face during it, you stay stoic,” she said. “But once it’s over, people expect you to bounce back, and that’s not always possible. You’re not under the clinical team anymore, but you’re also not the person you used to be.”

She emphasized the importance of emotional support during this lesser-discussed phase of recovery. “Having someone to help you through it — to guide you — is so valuable,” she added.

The visit came just as the Sovereign Grant confirmed that the royal family carried out over 1,900 public engagements during the year, while maintaining public funding at £86.3 million for the fourth year in a row. The Royal Train is also set to be decommissioned by 2027.

But more than numbers, what stood out this year was how William and Kate continue to shape a modern monarchy: one that values warmth and connection — even if it chooses to keep a few more things behind closed doors.