A LITTLE bit of light went out in the world the day she sat alone on a bench in Windsor and told us she had cancer.
The Princess of Wales is the standout star of the royal family, the main drawcard at big events, the person everyone wants to see during walkabouts.
She seemed invincible, a healthy young woman with seemingly boundless energy who was always smiling, always up for a bit of fun.
Now we haven't seen her in public for nearly six months - and who knows when we will again. There have been reports she might not be back until at least autumn in the UK and some royal insiders believe we may not see her before 2025.
But there has been a glimmer of hope. Veteran royal writer Katie Nicholl, who has close sources within the royal family, recently wrote in Vanity Fair that the princess "has turned a corner" in her cancer battle and is responding well to chemotherapy.
"It has been a great relief that she's tolerating the medication and is actually doing a lot better," a family friend of Kate's told Nicholl.
"It has, of course, been a very challenging and worrying time. Everyone has rallied around her - William, her parents and her sister and brother." Kate has also apparently been present at the occasional drop-off at Lambrook school in Windsor for George (10), Charlotte (9) and Louis (6) - although no parent at the school is prepared to talk about it.
"We all feel very protective of her," one told The Daily Beast's royal correspondent, Tom Sykes. "Ask anyone at the school - she and William are amazing parents." The children have been Kate's and William's main focus and the princess made it clear in her 22 March cancer announcement that easing the road ahead for the kids was her top priority.
Nicholl says a well-placed source told her Kate is no rush to return to work.
Denne historien er fra 13 June 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
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Denne historien er fra 13 June 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour
IAM NO DIFFERENT
Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet
GOD'S INFLUENCER
After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?
RUCK ON!
Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant
