The Princess of Wales has officially returned to work, just a week after revealing she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.

The 42-year-old released a heartfelt video last week, detailing the latest on her cancer treatment and flagging a slow return to royal duties.

“I am … looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can,” she said in the video, which also featured husband Prince William, their three children and Kate’s parents, Mike and Carole Middleton.

On Tuesday (British time) an engagement for the princess was listed in the official court circular – the British royal family’s diary of engagements.

“The Princess of Wales, joint patron, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this afternoon held an Early Years meeting at Windsor Castle,” it read.

It was the first engagement listed for Kate in eight months.

It also follows her urgent abdominal surgery in January and then shock declaration in March that she was being treated for cancer. Since then, Kate has made only two public appearances – Trooping the Colour for the King’s birthday in June and the Wimbledon men’s tennis final in July.

“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Kate opened her surprise video last week.

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family.

“Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.

“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” she said.

“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”

But while Tuesday’s update is a welcome first step for the princess, royal watchers say her return to the public eye is likely to be slow. Kate is expected to team further private meetings with a handful of public engagements in coming months.

“She has held this first meeting at Windsor Castle and, of course, it’s her favourite project – the early years development of children, something that’s been a real pillar of her work over the last few years,” Daily Mirror editor Russell Myers said.

“I think that this is sort of a bit of a welcome back for Kate, although we might not see her at too many engagements. But it’s definitely a bit of a baby steps version of getting back to work.”

It appears a significant step in some kind of return to normality for the royal family – even with the King still being treated for his own cancer.

“The King is still really ramping it up, he’s got the tour Down Under in just a few weeks time and of course, the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa as well,” Myers said.

Kate is expected to join senior royals at the Remembrance Sunday service in November and has reportedly started working on plans for her annual Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey.

The King and Queen arrive in Canberra on October 18 for a six-day tour that also takes in Samoa.