Kate Middleton’s Hair During Recent Outing Leaves Fans Confused As She Continues Chemotherapy

Jun 24, 2024

Early 2024 saw the British royal family rocked by news of serious health issues. Buckingham Palace announced on Jan. 17, 2024, that King Charles III was scheduled to undergo hospital treatment the following week for an enlarged prostate. The next day, his wife, Queen Camilla, said Charles was feeling “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work.” 

That same day, Kensington Palace revealed in a statement that the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, had undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic scheduled the day before. It said the surgery had been “successful” and that the princess would remain at the hospital for a 10–14-day recovery period. 

News of the pair’s hospitalization led to an outpouring of well wishes and support from their supporters across the world. However, things turned out to be as saddening as anyone could have expected.

In February 2024, it was revealed that King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. Following that, the public became very interested in knowing how Kate had been doing after she hadn’t been seen publicly for some time. After weeks of speculation, Kate squashed the rumors and appeared in a tearful video announcing her own cancer diagnosis. 

After revealing her diagnosis in an emotional yet hopeful video, Kate hadn’t been seen publicly for some time as she underwent treatment. It was not until June 15, 2024, that she gave a significant health update to the public by releasing an updated photo of her in the forest. She also appeared for the first time in months at the 2024 Trooping the Colour parade that same month. However, fans pointed out something crucial about Kate that made them even doubt her illness. Keep reading to learn more about how Kate has been doing so far. 

As Charles and Kate took time off from their royal duties, other family members stepped up in their absence, particularly their respective spouses, Queen Camilla and Prince William. With the support of their loved ones, Charles and Kate were given the time and space to prioritize their recovery. Facing their health challenges together, they also comforted each other. 

In the same hospital, Charles reportedly visited Kate at her bedside. The day before Kate announced her cancer diagnosis, she and Charles shared a private lunch. After sharing the news with the world, a Buckingham Palace representative said the king was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did” and that he “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.” 

According to royal watchers, the pair have always shared a strong bond. Author Robert Hardman told Hello! Magazine:

“It’s very clear that (Charles is) extremely concerned about her. I think he wants to make sure as much as he can that if there’s anything he can do, he will do, because for a very fit and healthy young mother, this is a different order of magnitude to someone having to deal with this in their 70s.”

During this challenging time, the Princess of Wales has also found comfort in her family and friends. According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, Kate has a “really tight group of friends and, particularly in Norfolk, really close friends there. But I think the real anchors in her life are her parents and her brother James... and her sister Pippa.”  

“While you certainly don’t see them photographed together very often, they are very much there in the background. They are absolutely fundamental,” she added.

In the past few months, William has stepped up his duties as a senior working royal along with Queen Camilla. Since then, he has met many people asking him about the condition of his wife. 

On April 18, 2024, William publicly appeared and helped load food and cooking equipment at the food and distribution charity Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey. One of the volunteers, 71-year-old Rachel Candappa, interacted with William and handed him two get-well-soon cards for Kate and King Charles. A visibly moved William thanked Candappa: “Thank you, you are very kind.” Just as the helper asked William to look after his wife, he placed his hand on her shoulder and promised: “I will.” 

In an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings on June 5, 2024, Prince William spoke to one of the veterans who attended the ceremony and gave another update on how Kate was doing. One of the veterans William spoke with had an impromptu question about whether Kate was “getting any better.” 

The Prince of Wales promptly and sincerely responded and said “Yes,” before adding “she’d love to be here today.”

“I was reminding everyone her grandmother served at Bletchley Park, so she had quite a few in common with some of the ladies here who were at Bletchley,” William told the veteran. “It’s lovely to see you. I will see you in five years’ time for the 85th.”

Needless to say, many have been worried about Kate’s condition, and they are all hoping for the same thing — that she will get through her illness and eventually become queen when Prince William accedes to the throne as king. 

On June 15, 2024, Kate finally gave the public the highly-awaited update they yearned for. In a photo uploaded by Kensington Palace’s social media accounts, a hopeful-looking Princess of Wales looked up above as she stood under a big tree in the forest. 

In her message, Kate said she had been “blown away” by the messages she had received in the past few months. 

“It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,” she said. 

According to Kate, she’s “making good progress” already. However, she pointed out that “as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.” 

“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well,” Kate added. “My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”

Kate then shared that she would attend the King’s Birthday Parade, which she did, and promised to attend public engagements over the summer, “knowing I am not out of the woods yet.”

“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me,” Kate concluded.

Kate received the warmest welcome back at Trooping the Colour. Wearing a classy white ensemble complete with a broad hat, the princess flashed her famous dimpled smile to the cheering crowd. Kate also appeared to keep her children in line with some instructions, according to one lip-reading expert. According to The Mirror, Kate could be seen at one point telling Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to “stay there, OK?” before leaning down to her daughter to say: 

“Keep smiling and stay here for one moment.”

Meanwhile, a body language expert said Kate appeared happy to be back but was also somewhat reserved. 

“Compared with previous years, where the Princess would flash a wholehearted, toothy smile of happiness, this occasion reveals a more careful Catherine, smiling with her lips, cheeks and eyes, but not with her teeth. This demonstrates caution, but there are signs that her happiness is genuine,” royal expert Inbaal Honigman stated.

“The raised eyebrows when she smiles, suggest that she is happy, even excited, and as she peeks out of the car, we can see that she’s glad to connect with the expecting crowds outside. Her shoulders are slightly raised, which suggests that she's nervous,” Honigman added.

As for whether Kate’s appearance meant she was back to her royal duties for good, some sources believed otherwise, with royal commentator Kinsey Schofield calliing it a “relief seeing her” looking “absolutely incredible. It was like ‘My Fair Lady,’ she looked like Audrey Hepburn in the outfit.” 

Schofield added Kate would likely keep public appearances to a minimum for now: 

“I think the strategy going forward is basically what they did with this specific engagement, and it's day by day, very last minute. How are you feeling? Do you feel, do you feel up to this? We might see her paired with Prince William at the start.”

Following Kate’s recent health update and public appearance, many took particular notice of Kate’s hair. In March 2024, the Princess of Wales announced in a video that she was in the early stages of “preventive chemotherapy.” 

On social media, fans had their doubts, as many thought that she'd be losing her hair in the course of her treatment. 

“I want to know how she’s keeping her hair through chemotherapy… This is a serious question. I am not making a dig or anything like that…,” a user asked on Instagram, echoing another wondering fan: “She looks good. And all that hair through chemo?”

“That's not Kate.,” echoing another who said "That's not her.” 

“You can have chemotherapy and not lose your hair?” another curious user inquired, along with another who said: "Can I ask an honest question. I mean nothing rude or mean in asking this but, I though you lost your hair during chemo???? Do u think it's a wig or maybe not all chemo makes u loose your hair. Again honest question, I'm not trying to be rude (sic)."

Meanwhile, another fan in the comment section revealed that not all chemotherapy processes would cause someone to lose their hair. 

“Not all chemo makes your hair fall out. Some kinds like velcade, which is an injection, won't make your hair fall out. Other types do. Like Melphalan. One bag of that and your hair is gone!” one said. 

A fan even doubted the authenticity of Kate’s illness in general, as they said, "I don't know why I can't believe that she's illness (sic)."

Despite the confusion about Kate’s hair, many still praised the princess for her fortitude and grace amid the challenges. 

“Such beauty, grace and elegance while the whole world is watching all while facing the toughest time of life.. a true inspiration what a Princess,” a fan commented. 

Are you a fan of Kate Middleton? What do you think about the furor about her hair? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other royal family fans out there.