In the three years since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate’s lives have changed in ways they couldn’t have imagined, out now, we take a closer look at how the couple have navigated the past few years, and how as king and queen in-waiting they are facing their destiny with a renewed sense of duty and purpose

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the 80th Anniversary of VE Day(Image: Getty Images)

It would hardly be a British summer without spotting dozens of famous faces in the royal box at Wimbledon, and, thankfully, Kate was back in her front-row seat in July.

As Patron since 2016, the Princess delighted spectators with a solo visit to the women’s final, before attending the men’s contest the following day with William and tennis-loving George and Charlotte. Looking radiant first in an ivory Self-Portrait dress and then a cobalt blue Roksanda number, Kate’s double appearance at Centre Court was a sign that her return to public life is continuing apace.

And while Kate’s recovery has been closely followed, it’s also highlighted the enormous pressure on Prince William. “William has broad shoulders, and he’s needed them,” royal expert Katie Nicholl tells us. “When you look at the man he is today, you see a very proud and devoted husband, and an incredibly protective and loving father. He’s managing to walk the tightrope between public figure and family man, and though he makes it look easy, it’s not. He’s proven to be very strong and dependable, and an absolute rock for Kate.”

Prince William and Princess Catherine take a walk in the Ardura Community Forest to highlight the importance of protecting and championing the natural environment, during a visit to the Isle of Mull, western Scotland (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Just a few days before Wimbledon, Kate had opened up about finding it “difficult” to adapt since finishing her treatment, adding that cancer is “life-changing for anyone”. Speaking during a visit to the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, she said, “You don’t necessarily, particularly when it’s the first time, appreciate how much impact it is going to have. You have to find your new normal and that takes time… it’s a rollercoaster.”

She has been widely applauded for discussing her experiences so openly, and royal expert Katie Nicholl says, “The Princess has been vital in breaking stigmas around cancer and raising awareness about its challenges. She’s very positive in her outlook and looks the picture of health, but as any cancer patient finds, you don’t just revert to life as it once was.”

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Author Katie, who herself is in remission from a rare type of liver cancer diagnosed in early 2023, adds, “Even if you’re getting better, it leaves you with a constant reminder of your mortality and the statistics of a disease that now affects one in two people. A sense of uncertainty remains, and Kate will continue to have regular scans and be very closely monitored as she looks towards the important five-year all-clear.”

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The Prince and Princess of Wales are on a two-day visit to the Isles of Mull and Iona (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Another key marker of Kate’s progress was her role in July’s state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte. As well as providing the official welcome alongside William at RAF Northolt, they joined King Charles and Camilla to roll out the red carpet for the Macrons at a state banquet at Windsor Castle.

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It was Kate’s first in two years, and she dazzled in a red Givenchy gown and the Lover’s Knot tiara, once worn by Princess Diana. Earlier in the summer, she was also deemed well enough to attend events including Trooping the Colour in London in June, as well as the annual Garter Day procession in Windsor.

“One of the things Kate’s illness showed us is how much we need her,” adds Katie. “Now she’s working again, you can see how instrumental she is. That was never more apparent than in all those months when we hardly saw her. I think the whole nation felt her absence.”

Kate’s gradual return to work has been carefully planned to avoid over-exertion, as seen when she missed key engagements such as the annual Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace in November and Royal Ascot in June. She is said to have been attempting to find “the right balance” between managing her official duties and her physical and mental wellbeing, and as royal expert Duncan Larcombe says, “Kate has clearly listened carefully to her physicians and all those around her.

“She’s had the good sense to pull out of events when necessary, as nobody – least of all William – wants to see her overdo it.”

Princess Catherine and Prince William welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron (not pictured) to Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025 in Windsor

After a busy few weeks, it was reported that the family jetted to Kefalonia for a luxury sailing holiday in mid-July, along with Kate’s parents Carole and Michael. They also spent much of the school holidays at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which provides the ultimate in rest and relaxation with its extensive grounds, nearby beaches and woodland.

Kate first announced she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy last March in a video message that stunned the world. Then, in September, she told how her treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London had ended, and that “doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus”.

Catherine Princess of Wales as she announced her cancer diagnosis

In the video, showing her enjoying carefree Norfolk days with her family, she said, “My path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.” Then in January came the welcome news that her cancer was in remission. In a social media post praising the Royal Marsden for its “exceptional” care, she wrote, “My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything.

“We couldn’t have asked for more.” This coincided with a visit to the hospital, during which she hugged and chatted to cancer patients and spoke of the “tough” realities of treatment, while suggesting there may be “light at the end of that tunnel”. Her positive messages have continued in a video project called Mother Nature . The first minifilm was released in May, the second in August, with others set to showcase autumn and winter.

“Connecting to nature helps us to experience a deeper sense of ourselves, the world around us, and each other,” Kate said.

Inevitably, William’s steadfast support has helped her through her ordeal, too. He described 2024 as “dreadful” – and the toll was especially gruelling with his father undergoing treatment for cancer at the same time. As former chief executive of the couple’s Royal Foundation, Jason Knauf said earlier this year, “It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen Prince William. Within a couple of weeks, he found out that both his wife and father had cancer. I couldn’t believe it.”

The royal couple at Earth Shot 2022(Image: Getty Images for Earthshot)

On a trip to Wales earlier this year, Kate told onlookers that William “has been amazing”, with royal insiders recently claiming he would “fight tooth and nail” to ensure she has all the time she needs to recuperate.

Kate may still face bumps in the road, but the picture is now one of genuine optimism. “She offers such a story of hope and positivity,” Katie adds. “She has shown you can survive cancer and continue to live a full, healthy life after diagnosis.