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Princess of Wales’ next public appearance could be a royal game changer

The Waleses at Wimbledon in 2023

Source: Prince and Princess of Wales

A month after the Princess of Wales’ first official appearance since her cancer diagnosis, there is mounting speculation she may return for one of her favourite events – Wimbledon.

As patron of the All England Club since 2016, Kate, 42, has been a huge crowd favourite, and a global media magnet for the oldest tournament in the world, as well as a feature on Centre Court every year.

She famously accompanied Prince Harry’s then girlfriend, Meghan Markle, to a box seat in 2018, and has handed out the silver plates and trophies to the grand slam’s singles champions for almost a decade.

Her gowns have also made the sports tournament a runway for fashion designers to showcase their campaigns.

Kate’s first official appearance in months came on June 15.

Kensington Palace gave less than 24 hours notice that she would be a late inclusion in a balcony appearance with husband Prince William and their three children for the King’s official birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour.

Presentation ‘flexibility’

The statement from the palace, apparently written by Kate, hinted at further appearances.

“I’m looking forward to attending the King’s birthday parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” she wrote on social media.

With the Wimbledon finals still more than a week away, All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told Telegraph Sport that the club would give the princess “as much flexibility as possible” as she continues her treatment for cancer.

That could even involve delaying a decision on who will present the trophies until the morning of the finals.

“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Jevans said.

“We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.

“I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative – that’s something to consider nearer the time if necessary. We’re staying flexible.

“When we hear, we’ll then think about what’s the right thing to do.”

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, in July 2018. Photo: Getty

‘The Crown’s best hope’

After disappearing from the spotlight for months – her last appearance with the family was at Christmas – Kate shocked the world when she announced in a video statement in March 22 that she was having preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

She had been spotted on a few occasions in public with her mother, Carole Middleton, and with William, 42, but there were no official engagements until Trooping the Colour.

In a cover story on Kate in this month’s issue of US magazine Vanity Fair, a source said the princess had “turned a corner” in her treatment.

“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well,” Kate wrote in announcing her Trooping the Colour appearance.

“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal.”

‘Crucial importance’

Patrick Jephson, the former private secretary to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, told VF how critically important Kate was to the monarchy.

“The intense public emotion that greeted Catherine’s brave appearance at Trooping underlined her crucial importance to the monarchy,” he said.

“Without her, the institution would surely be reduced to a shadow of itself. Given the Windsors’ drastically thinned ranks, she is the crown’s best hope by far.

“She combines duty and beauty with a piercing vulnerability second only to Prince William’s mother.”

‘Fragile monarchy’

VF described a “fragile monarchy”, facing its own “annus horribilis”, a reference to a famous quote by the late Queen Elizabeth in 1992 when three of her four children’s marriages spectacularly failed and Windsor Castle caught fire.

With the King diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, the Princess Royal and Queen Camilla have steadied the ship, filling their royal calendars with endless official engagements, some normally reserved for Kate or the King.

The King is also reportedly considering the exiled Prince Andrew’s daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, to carry out more royal engagements in the UK and overseas.

VF spoke to several friends of Kate and Wills, including one who was quoted saying Kate “will pick up where she left off” as soon as she is well enough.

The prospect of her becoming queen doesn’t “worry her or keep her awake at night”.

“She just wants her kids to be a bit older before she has to step up to the big job,” the friend said.

“The fact is she was born for the job. It’s almost ingrained in her.”

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