RUSSELL MYERS: ‘Kate Middleton leads no normal life and cancer update is message to all’

The Princess of Wales had been expected at Royal Ascot today but pulled out of attending the event – and the Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers says it shows how Kate still needs to take her return to work slowly

There can be no clearer indication for the Princess of Wales, and indeed anyone recovering from cancer, of the need to take things slowly. In January when Kate announced the news that she was in remission after six months of preventative chemotherapy last year, she spoke of her ‘relief’ but stated that she remained “focused on recovery”.

She added: “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead.” The future queen was diagnosed with the disease last February, leading her to take an extended period of leave from royal duties to concentrate on her treatment.

After announcing in September that she had finished her course, Kensington Palace insisted the princess would take her time returning to full duties with a staggered return to public life.

That return has been anything but straightforward, although the princess has in recent days seen a more typical return to royal life.

However, with three public engagements in a week – attending the opening of the new V&A museum in east London, the King’s official birthday celebrations at Trooping the Colour in London and Garter Day in Windsor, the latter two amid the heatwave we are experiencing – perhaps it has all been too much.

Kensington Palace today said while the princess was naturally disappointed to not attend Royal Ascot, often seen as a date in the diary where the royals somewhat let their hair down and enjoy the festivities, she has to find the right balance as she manages her return.

Of course, it goes without saying that many people who have lived through such experiences and have the added pressure of managing work and family life, do not have the luxury of time afforded to the princess.

Similarly, as current senior members of the royal family have shown working well into their 70s and 80s, the late Queen Elizabeth II performing a public role almost right up until she passed away, this is no normal life.

When we take undeniable circumstance and privilege out of the picture for a moment, what is clear is that the Princess of Wales may not yet be ready to perform a full time role for The Firm.

The King, at 76 and still undergoing weekly cancer treatment, has embarked upon a staggering schedule in recent months, with those closest to him telling me he is focussed on “making up for lost time”.

The princess, being 43 and a mother of three young children, has not shied away from saying her dedication, for now, would be to her family as well as her recovery.

With her youngest Prince Louis only being seven, that role as a parent as well as her role within the monarchy, has quite the shelf life.

Aside from the confusion of Kate being named in the official programme and Royal Ascot chiefs announcing her attendance a mere 20 minutes before the palace announced she would not be attending, which at best is a bizarre lack of communication for such a senior figure, the princess clearly needs to listen to her own body and mind and do what is right for her.

If she is allowed to do so, her family, the royals and indeed all of the charities and organisations she works with, will reap the benefit.