Kate Middleton's Heartfelt Return to Royal Walkabouts: 'She Looked Truly Delighted to Be Back with Us'
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- UPDATED DECEMBER 26, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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“She was just as genuine and approachable as I remembered,” shared Louis Beauchamp, a teacher from Paris.
Kate Middleton’s return to greeting the public on Christmas Day was a deeply meaningful moment, not only for her but for the many who had eagerly awaited her presence after a challenging year.
At 42, the Princess of Wales made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy, joining the royal family for their cherished annual Christmas Day walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham. This marked her heartfelt return to royal duties and her first interaction with the public since last year’s Christmas Day event.
The walk, a tradition Kate has always cherished, held even greater significance this year, symbolizing a step back toward normalcy after months of health struggles. In January, she disclosed undergoing planned abdominal surgery and took time away from the public eye to recuperate. However, the recovery period brought an unexpected cancer diagnosis, leading her to undergo chemotherapy and focus on her health.
In September, Kate shared the hopeful news that she had completed chemotherapy but remained candid about her ongoing journey. “Although I have finished chemotherapy,” she said, “my path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
Kate’s presence on Christmas Day, accompanied by Prince William and their children — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 — brought comfort and cheer as she warmly engaged with well-wishers, sharing hugs, handshakes, and heartfelt Christmas greetings.
Her bond with the public was unmistakable, as she took time to connect with everyone she encountered. The joy and relief in her demeanor were evident, her face glowing with smiles as she conversed with the gathered crowd.
At one point, Kate playfully remarked, “I think I’ve lost my family!” upon noticing she was the last royal family member still engaged in the walkabout, drawing laughter and adding to the festive spirit.
William and their children stood several yards ahead, patiently waiting for Kate to finish her interactions so they could return to Sandringham for their Christmas lunch. The moment was a perfect reflection of Kate’s hallmark approach — always willing to linger and connect with those who come out to see her, even if it means being the last to leave.
“There’s a real art to walkabouts,” Kate once shared during a documentary commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday. “Everybody teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting. I still have to learn a little bit more and pick up a few more tips, I suppose.”
Among those touched by Kate’s personal connection on Christmas Day was Louis Beauchamp, a teacher from Paris who had made the journey to Sandringham specifically to see her. Beauchamp first met Kate in May 2023 ahead of the King’s coronation, when she and Prince William visited a pub for a walkabout.
“I had an unforgettable interaction with Catherine,” Beauchamp tells PEOPLE. “She mentioned she was encouraging her kids to speak more French and urged me to keep up the hard work with my students.”
He added, “When she announced her cancer diagnosis, I knew we wouldn’t see her in public for a while. Sandringham felt like the perfect chance to show my continued support. I booked a trip to be there for her, and I always will be.”
Beauchamp, an English teacher from France inspired by the princess’s Early Years work, brought a thoughtful gift for Kate — a handmade scarf from Morocco, accompanied by a heartfelt letter expressing the “positive impact she has had on my life over the years,” he explains. When he presented the gift, Kate warmly thanked him for his gesture.
“She thanked me very much and said it was wonderful and so kind of me to have come again,” Beauchamp shares. “She was as genuine and close to people as I remembered. She seemed so happy to be with us again. You could tell she was truly touched.”
Another well-wisher, 73-year-old Karen Maclean, who has been living with cancer for over 20 years, shared a heartfelt moment with both Kate and King Charles during the Christmas Day walkabout.
“We just had a little talk about cancer,” Maclean told Sky News, reflecting on the warm connection she felt with the Princess of Wales. Kate gave Maclean a hug upon learning that she had traveled all the way from North Lincolnshire for the occasion.
Maclean noted that both Kate and King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, appeared “very well actually, considering what they’re going through.”
Speaking of her embrace from Kate, Maclean added, “What a privilege.”