Kate Middleton News: Catherine Princess of Wales tour of Italy shows she is back

When the Princess of Wales stepped out of her car and hordes of fans entered Italy last weekit marked more than just her return to the world stage after a battle with cancer.

Catherine’s decision to follow her first foreign tour since 2022 was also a sign that she was finally ready to take up the mantle as the second-highest-ranking woman in the royal family and a sign that she is “back in business,” according to a royal expert.

‘She knows the eyes of the world are on her’ That of Queen Elizabeth said former press secretary Ailsa Anderson People. “It’s a clear signal that she’s back to work.”

Catherine had never traveled abroad as Princess of Wales before last week’s visit to Reggio Emilia.

Her most recent foreign engagements – a trip to the Bahamas with Prince William in March 2022 and a two-day solo tour of Denmark in February that year – came before the death of Queen Elizabeth II catapulted her husband to second in line for the throne and saw Catherine become queen of the court. 

Just sixteen months after becoming Princess of Wales, her life was turned upside down by a health emergency that saw her undergo major abdominal surgery in January 2024, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of an undisclosed form of cancer and preventive chemotherapy.

Due to her battle with cancer, she largely withdrew from the public eye, except for a few appearances.

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Russell Myers, the author of William & Catherine: the intimate story from the inside, said her absence was felt.

“There is no denying that everyone involved missed the star quality of the princess,” he said.

‘Wherever she goes, she has enormous appeal. Catherine is undoubtedly a central force in the monarchy’s popularity and ability to achieve its goals and move forward.

“There is no better time for her to return.” 

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Anderson said People she believed that both Catherine and William were “upping their game” as they got closer to becoming King and Queen, which meant becoming more visible.

“She is our future queen,” she said.

‘As Queen Elizabeth always said, it has to be seen to be believed.

“[Catherine] is glamorous, she is beautiful. She is warm and approachable.”

One reason for their growing profile in recent months could be what Anderson called the “throbbing wound in the background”: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

His ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein continue to tarnish the royal family. Then there was his arrest earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office. No charges have been filed.

But things like this are why William and Catherine are needed more than ever.

Catherine Mayer, author of the upcoming book Divide and conquer, told People that William and Catherine played a very important role in stabilizing the monarchy.

“Right now, after that period of unprecedented turbulence, they’re doing a really good job of making it seem like the ship is steady,” she said.

“That’s why Kate is so important.”

And while King Charles continues to work tirelessly, including a recent state visit to the US, despite being in the middle of his own battle with cancer, Mayer said it was William and Catherine who in some ways were.[carrying] the whole thing”.

“Following the King’s successful visit to the United States, William and Kate are upping their game,” she said.

“Charles is the incumbent, but she and William are the future.

“There is no institution without them.”

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