Princess Catherine, also known as Kate Middleton, was spotted at Crathie Kirk for the first time since disclosing her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales joined Prince William and other members of the Royal Family for the Sunday service. Her appearance at the Scottish church marks her first visit there since her health announcement earlier this year. Despite the challenging news, Princess Catherine appeared upbeat as she arrived for the service alongside her husband, Prince William.
Their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were also present, sitting in the front row. This visit to Crathie Kirk is notable as it is the first time the young royals have attended church there, a tradition followed by the Royal Family since Queen Victoria acquired the estate over a century ago.
The service was also attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with their son, and Tim Laurence. Princess Catherine’s last public appearance was at Wimbledon’s final, and she also participated in this year’s Trooping the Colour.
For the occasion, the Princess wore a stylish hat she had previously showcased last year. She paired it with a beige tartan Marlborough trench coat from Holland Cooper, complemented by a dark brown wool felt fedora adorned with feathers. The hat, a product from Hicks and Brown, is priced at £99 and is available in various colors, including camel, dusky pink, and maroon.
Prince William, who drove the car, opted for a navy blue suit and was seen chatting and smiling with his wife. Kate Middleton has been making a gradual return to public life following her health struggles. She is set to join the Royal Family at Balmoral this month for what will be her longest journey since she first spoke about her diagnosis.
Traditionally, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have spent their summers at the 50,000-acre Balmoral estate in the Scottish Highlands since their wedding in 2011. Despite concerns that this year’s visit might be affected by Catherine’s condition, her attendance is seen as a positive sign of her progress. Since her announcement in March that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy, Kate has divided her time between Adelaide Cottage in Windsor and Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which are approximately 125 miles apart. Her participation in the family gathering at Balmoral will likely be viewed as a reassuring indicator of her improving health.
