Despite being the driving force behind the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and its associated Business Taskforce, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, will not be returning to work in the near future, according to Kensington Palace.
In March, Catherine revealed she had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer and is currently undergoing medical treatment, including preventative chemotherapy. Her task force, which emphasizes the significance of early childhood development and aims to create lasting societal change by providing children with a strong start in life, published a new report on Tuesday. The report urges businesses to invest more in early childhood through employee support such as flexible working hours for parents and childcare assistance.
Although Kate has been briefed on the report and stays informed about her foundation’s progress, a Kensington Palace spokesperson told the BBC, “The princess is not expected to return to work until it’s cleared by her medical team. Early childhood will continue to be central to her public work.”
Prince William recently shared that Kate is doing “well” amid her treatment.
Since announcing in January that she had undergone an abdominal procedure which led to the discovery of cancer, Kate has requested privacy and space for herself, William, and their three children. The Wales family chose to forgo the traditional Easter Sunday service to spend private time together, reflecting Kate’s advice about the importance of being present as a parent.
Emma Franklin of Deloitte, who contributed to the newly released report, highlighted the importance of “parenting out loud” in the workplace. She encouraged employees to maintain boundaries, such as not responding to work messages during personal time, and to be open about the challenges of being a working parent. The report suggests that setting this example can be a catalyst for generational change.
A representative for Kensington Palace did not immediately respond to Vanity Fair’s request for comment.
