Kate Middleton’s quiet return to duty: The Princess of Wales breaks her silence with a poignant message in her first public statement since she revealed her cancer diagnosis

Kate Middleton joined Prince William in sending her thoughts and wishes to Australia this weekend after the horrendous knife attack in Sydney – in the Princess’ first public statement since she revealed she has cancer.

The Princess of Wales revealed she was receiving treatment for the disease three weeks ago, asking the public for ‘some time, space and privacy’ while she completed the course of chemotherapy. While the form of cancer was not disclosed, Kate offered the world a moving insight into her reaction to the diagnosis, and how she told her family of the news she was unwell.

Royal sources suggested that Kate Middleton and William would take a break from public duties over the Easter holidays to spend time with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The couple have since stayed out of the public eye – but in recent days, Prince William has taken a step back into the spotlight. The royal was seen out and about in Norfolk with Carole Middleton, before releasing a public statement relating to the retirement of England Lioness Rachel Daly. He was then seen accompanying Prince George to the Aston Villa game earlier this month, with the two appearing like any other father-and-son duo as they cheered their team on to victory.

Now, the Princess has appeared to take a step forward back into the public eye. Posting on their official X account, Kate and William paid tribute to the victims of a knife attack in Sydney. The couple wrote: ‘We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events in Sydney earlier today. Our thoughts are with all those affected, including the loved ones of those lost and the heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others.’

While Kate may have spent the last few months out of the public eye, it’s believed she has been keeping up to date with her projects by working from home. According to The Telegraph, Kate continued to work during the first few months of the year on her ambitious Early Years initiaitve. The royal mother-of-three spent time studying research on improving the lives of babies. The Princess’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood funded a four-month long trial of a baby observation tool, which could be used by health visitors to improve how they spot signs of social and emotional development in young children. Results for the study were published back in March.