The Princess of Wales has been out and about more with her family in recent weeks, the Mail understands, as palace officials said they have been inundated with 'tens of thousands' of get well cards after her cancer diagnosis turned out.
While the possibility of Kate heading out with family will be seen as a positive sign by many, Kensington Palace has stressed that she still needs time and space to recover.
In March, Kate shared an emotional video message revealing she had started preventive chemotherapy, which was met with widespread support and well wishes from the British public.
The princess said she was withdrawing from public life to focus on her recovery and protect her young family. But the outpouring of support continued.
The palace correspondence team are now said to be 'so touched' by the love and affection shown by Kate, 42, during her battle with cancer.
Buckingham Palace has been inundated with 'tens of thousands' of get well cards and gifts for the Princess of Wales
In a normal week the Palace can expect a maximum of 1,000 letters, but what they have experienced since March has far exceeded that
In March, Kensington Palace published the first photo of the Princess of Wales since the operation
The team has sometimes found it difficult to cope with the volume of correspondence, but staff strive to respond to all writers.
All letters to members of the Royal family are handled by the court post office. In a normal week the Palace can expect a maximum of 1,000 letters, but what they have experienced since March has far exceeded that.
It comes a week later Kate was revealed as the 'driving force' behind a new report calling on companies to adopt more family-friendly working practices.
Its Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood has unveiled a major new report which claims that investing in early childhood could deliver more than £45.5 billion to the national economy every year.
Downing Street, as well as senior ministers at the Departments of Health and Education, have already been briefed on its findings – although palace officials are at pains to point out it is not a political campaign.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace also stressed that the news should not be seen as Kate, 42, returning to work after major abdominal surgery and revealing she is undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for cancer.
This year she has made no public engagements at all.
Kate was recently revealed as the 'driving force' behind a new report calling for companies to adopt more family-friendly working practices. Pictured with her family on Christmas Day 2023
Kate with Louis and Charlotte in May 2023 as they helped renovate and improve the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough
But they confirmed that despite her illness, she reviewed every aspect of the report from home.
Her spokesperson said: 'The work of The Prince and Princess projects is 'always on'…early childhood is a major priority for The Princess and so she has been kept fully informed throughout the development of the Taskforce's work and has she seen the report? .'
A senior royal aide added: 'The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business taskforce.
'She has been kept informed since the creation of the task force and has read and briefed on the report.
“This is a clear commitment she has made that this will be the focus throughout her life in public service.
'That will remain the case when she returns to work. But we have made it very clear that she needs the space and privacy to recover now. She will return to work once she has been given the green light by the doctors.'
“The Princess is not expected to return to work until cleared by her medical team,” the Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
Kate's battle with cancer in her own words: Full emotional video statement from the Princess of Wales
I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding while I was recovering from surgery.
It's been an incredibly tough few months for our whole family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
In January I had major abdominal surgery in London and at the time my condition was deemed to be non-cancerous. The operation was successful. However, tests after the surgery revealed that cancer was present. My medical team therefore recommended that I undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
This obviously came as a huge shock, and William and I have done everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
As you can imagine, this has taken time. It took me time to recover from major surgery before I could start my treatment. But the most important thing is that it took us time to explain everything
George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that suits them, and to reassure them that I will be fine.
As I told them; I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit.
Having William by my side is also a great source of comfort and reassurance. As does the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us.
We hope you understand that we as a family now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.
At this time I also think of all those whose lives have been touched by cancer. To anyone facing this disease in any form, please do not lose faith and hope. You are not alone.