Kate Middleton “may not appear in public for rest of the year” amid her cancer treatment.
In March, the Princess of Wales announced that she is undergoing treatment for cancer, which was discovered after she underwent abdominal surgery in January.
Following her diagnosis, the Princess took a step back from her public duties with not date given on her return.
A source told The Daily Beat that Kate is being “surrounded” by her birth family as she continues a course of treatment.
The source continued to tell the publication they do not expect to see the Princess of Wales back in a public-facing role soon, adding it was possible she would remain absent for the rest of the year.
They said: “Lots of people involved in planning need to know what all the principals are doing a long way in advance.”
“I am told that Kate’s diary for this year is empty. There is nothing planned. She may not appear in public for the rest of the year.”
“I would not rule out another video message updating the country on her health.”
“That proved to be a very effective way of keeping the conspiracy theorists at bay,” they added.
A friend of the Prince and Princess of Wales told the Daily Beast: “The key thing for her now is avoiding any kind of stress or anxiety and just getting on with the business of getting better.”
“They will bail out and be off to Sandringham the moment school breaks up.”
“The circle of trust is tiny. She has been surrounded by Carole and Michael, and (sister) Pippa and (brother) James have obviously been there for her as well.”
“They are an incredibly tight family, and Catherine feels absolutely confident relying on them. They have been there for her for decades and never let her down,” they added.
This follows an update given on Kate earlier this week which said the Princess of Wales has made “a clear commitment” to her public work despite her recent diagnosis, but “needs the space and privacy to recover right now.”
A senior royal aide told MailOnline: “The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business task force,” refering to Kate’s recent involvement in the launch of the project, Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
“She has been kept up to date since the inception of the task force and she has read the report and been briefed on it.”
They continued: “This is a clear commitment she has made throughout her life of public service that this will be focus.”
“That will continue when she returns to work. But we have been really clear that she needs the space and the privacy to recover right now.”
“She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors,” they added.
On March 22, the mother-of-three released an emotional video revealing her cancer diagnosis.
The 42-year-old said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.”
“My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”
“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.”
“It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.”
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.”
“As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”
“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”
There is no official date as to when the Princess will return to public engagements.
