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In January 2024, Kensington Palace announced that Kate Middleton underwent a planned abdominal surgery. For the next couple of months, rumors spread like wildfire about the princess’s condition. In March 2024, she revealed she had cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
While Kate receives treatment, she has stepped back from public duties. Since 2016, Kate has served as the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. This is the organization that puts on Wimbledon. It is still unknown if she will attend any of the matches during this year’s tournament, but on July 4, 2024, her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, attended in her place.
Carole looked chic in a floral Cefinn midi-length dress and cream blazer. She accessorized the ensemble with drop earrings and brown suede heels. Michael looked handsome in a navy suit. He paired it with a light blue shirt and yellow tie.
The last time Kate was seen in public was on June 15, 2024. She attended King Charles’ birthday celebrations, also known as Trooping the Color. She watched the parade from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with her family
Kate did not confirm she was attending Trooping the Colour until the day before. She has to take things a day at a time with chemotherapy. “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” she explained. “On those bad days you feel weak, tired, and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.” She hopes to make a few more appearances this summer.
Debbie Jevans, the All England Club chair, is hoping one of those outings will be to present the trophies at Wimbledon, as the princess has done in the past. “We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Jevans explained to Telegraph Sport. “We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible
The club is so hopeful they don’t have a backup plan yet. “I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative,” Jevans said in June of 2024. “That’s something to consider nearer the time if necessary. We’re staying flexible. When we hear, we’ll then think about what’s the right thing to do.”