Kate Middleton Makes Rare Public Appearance Alongside Royal Family During Summer Break in Balmoral

The Princess of Wales, 42, was photographed attending a service at Crathie Church on the Balmoral Estate on Sunday, Aug. 25, photos obtained by The Daily Mail show.

She was joined by her husband, Prince William, and the couple’s oldest child, son Prince George, for the daytime outing, which marked her first public appearance in over a month.

Kate wore a light brown outfit that she paired with a feather hat, while William, also 42, sported a navy suit.

The trio was reportedly joined by King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, plus their son, James Wessex, the outlet reported.
Princess Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in March and shared that she was undergoing chemotherapy. At the time, she requested “time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.”

In a later update, the Princess of Wales said in a personal letter that “there are good days and bad days,” but she shared a hope to join “a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.”
Since then, the royal has made a few public appearances amid her recovery, including Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon a month later.
Princess Kate did miss several royal events that are usually part of her calendar, however, including Garter Day, Royal Ascot and the Japan state visit to the U.K. She also appeared to stay home when Prince William celebrated his 42nd birthday at Taylor Swift’s London stop of the Eras Tour on June 21 with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Members of the royal family typically retreat from the spotlight during the summer months, when they opt to spend private time together.

Some of that break may be spent on vacation at one of their favorite destinations, including Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the British royals traditionally gather each August. Kate, William and their children also spend time at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk.

“She won’t have to be on center stage,” a palace insider previously told PEOPLE about how Kate would spend the late summer stay at Balmoral. “Being with her family and just being herself will give her energy. There will be plenty of time to focus on her recovery.”
Earlier this month, Kensington Palace announced that William will return to public work when he visits the Homelessness: Reframed exhibit at the Saatchi Gallery in London on Sept. 5.

Homelessness: Reframed is a collaboration between Prince William’s Homewards program, which he launched with the Royal Foundation in June 2023 to help end homelessness for good, the Saatchi Gallery and the Eleven Eleven Foundation. The presentation opened on Aug. 7, and the Prince of Wales will visit before it closes on Sept. 20.