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USUALLY, THE Princess of Wales is a glamorous fixture on the summer season, attending the Chelsea Flower Show, Buckingham Palace garden parties, Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot and Wimbledon.
This year, however, she will be convalescing at home, out of the public spotlight, as she continues chemotherapy treatment for the cancer that was discovered after abdominal surgery earlier this year.
Prince William cut a slightly lonely figure as he hosted the Sovereign’s Garden Party without Kate by his side, although he had called in Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Zara and Mike Tindall (with whom he is close), as well as Peter Phillips. As the prince joked about the torrential downpours being ‘good weather for swimming’, he also shared optimistic updates on the princess, saying she is ‘doing well’.
But, in truth, this has been an extremely tough time for the couple as they remain committed to maintaining a sense of normality for their three children. Kate has continued to do the school run and attend their sports matches and ballet classes, when her treatment and fatigue allows. And in an encouraging sign, she has been working behind the scenes on her early years project and is said to be ‘excited’ by its progress.
Earlier this month, her Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood issued a new report, which said prioritising young children and supporting their caregivers could lead to ‘£45.5bn in value added for the national economy each year’. The report is intended as a blueprint for businesses to lay the foundations for making small changes to improve opportunities for parents, carers and children in society.
Its five recommendations are to be translated into practical actions, for example, companies not scheduling calls before 9am, so working parents can do the school run, and subsidised or on-site childcare.
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