Kate Middleton is taking her time to fully recover and adjust after a challenging year, a close friend of the Princess of Wales has revealed.

At 42, the beloved royal faced a major health battle after being diagnosed with cancer in March, undergoing chemotherapy as part of her treatment. In September, she joyfully announced she was cancer-free, but her return to royal duties remains measured.

“She is focused on herself and her family right now, rightly,” a palace insider told People, noting that while Kate is on the mend, she is “not back to normal” just yet.

Despite the slow pace, there’s optimism about her recovery. “There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” the source added. Another insider emphasized the importance of giving Kate the time and space she needs: “She has to get back on top of it. And she will if she is left alone to work it out for herself. She won’t be going back to work in the same way for a long time.”

Kate has largely stayed out of the public eye throughout 2024, prioritizing her health and family. Her absence earlier in the year led to widespread speculation about her whereabouts, silenced only by the news of her diagnosis.