WITH HER RETURN TO PUBLIC DUTY ON THE HORIZON THE PRINCESS OF WALES WHY THE ROYAL FAMILY HAVE NEVER NEEDED HER MORE

It has been one of the most difficult starts to a year the royal family has faced for decades.

As well as the King undergoing treatment for cancer and the Princess of Wales continuing her recovery from major abdominal surgery, "The Firm" has also suffered the sudden and tragic loss of Thomas Kingston, the husband of His Majesty's cousin Lady Gabriella.

For Kate, who is now more than halfway through her period of convalescence, rest, recovery and family have been her focus so far this year.

Spending plenty of precious time with Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, has been her silver lining during a challenging few months and with Mother's Day approaching, she will be thoroughly spoilt.

But with Easter now just a few short weeks away, she is also starting to think about her return to public duties in April - and the royal family have never needed her more.

Last week Kensington Palace moved to dispel social media speculation about the Princess after her husband the Prince pulled out of an event at Windsor Castle.

Prince William had been due to give a reading at the service of thanksgiving for his godfather King Constantine of Greece when he cancelled at the last minute, citing a "personal matter".

FORCED TO SPEAK OUT

Royal sources insisted there was "nothing to panic about" and that his absence was unrelated to his wife's condition, telling HELLO! she continued to be "doing well".

But the royal rumour mill went into overdrive, forcing a spokesman for the Princess to intervene and say: "Kensington Palace made clear in January the timelines of the Princess's recovery and that we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands."