As 2024 draws to a close, the British Royal Family has faced an unusually tumultuous year.

From health battles to personal revelations, it has been a period of reflection, resilience, and emotional highs and lows.

For Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, the year has brought profound challenges, but also remarkable moments of strength and recovery.

The good news came in the summer: Princess Catherine is now cancer-free, after completing her chemotherapy regimen.

The Princess’s treatment was classified as “preventative,” a necessary step to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells following surgery, ensuring that the disease would not return. Medical experts note that preventative chemotherapy, typically lasting between three to six months, is a tough but important treatment that can take a significant toll on the body, including hair loss, fatigue, and other side effects.

While the public’s reaction to Catherine’s cancer battle was one of overwhelming support, her family’s response has been a mix of pride and relief. Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have been by Catherine’s side every step of the way. For the children, seeing their mother slowly return to her public duties marks a joyful milestone in their own journey.

The year 2024 has been one of transformation for Princess Catherine, and this public return to work signals a shift in her personal and professional life. Gone are the days when her schedule was fixed months in advance, with clear-cut roles related to military duties, Christmas functions, and Commonwealth events. Instead, Catherine’s return to public life represents a new chapter—one where her health and family priorities take precedence.

Princess Catherine’s experience with cancer treatment has also given her a new perspective on her long-standing charity work, particularly with those affected by cancer. Her own history of supporting cancer patients is well-known. In 2018, Catherine made a quiet but meaningful gesture by donating several inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.