This week continues the busy royal schedule of events that will always take place on May 6 - after appearing on Trooping The Colour this weekend, the Princess of Wales is likely to skip Royal Ascot again this week, as expected, rather than yesterday's garter service order. It is not yet known whether she will be on a state visit to Japan next week or at Wimbledon.

It's a fool's errand to guess when Kate will return to work again — when it comes to guessing when we might be next adorned with her presence, it's best to let Kate's own honest and vulnerable words speak for themselves. (Before Saturday, Kate had not been seen publicly since Christmas Day in 2023 for almost 6 months.Take it from her unprecedented statement last Friday — released along with stunning photos taken by longtime royal photographer Matt Portes at the Windsor Estate last week — Kate announced she would be at King Charles's birthday parade the next day: "I have made good progress, but everyone who goes through chemotherapy knows." "There are good days and bad days, so that we can live together," she wrote. "On those bad days, you feel weak and tired, and you have to succumb to your body resting. But on a good day, when you feel strong, you want to make the most of your mood.

She added that "my treatment is ongoing and will continue for a few more months," and also said that she is "starting a little work from home."She continued that she "wanted to participate in some public commitments over the summer," but added scornfully that she "hasn't come out of the woods yet." I'm learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking every day as it comes, listening to my body and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.

Kate's appearance Saturday should "give us a sense of optimism" about her progress, but Royal author Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight that "she was very honest with that message" about Kate's eventual return to work. "She said there were good days, and there were bad days when she was tired. I think we have to assume Trooping was a good day, but she's still undergoing cancer treatment. She talks about the need to be able to go through this period personally for her own recovery, but also because she and her family have that much-needed privacy.

Kate herself said that her doctor had greenlighted her appearance and wanted her to participate in some contracts this summer as long as she was aware of it. Wimbledon (starting at 7/1 and up to 7/14) may be the answer, Nicole said. 

"I wonder if I might meet her at Wimbledon," she said. "She spoke in a very personal message that she wanted to be able to bring her own joy. I think it's about being in nature, being with children, participating in everyday school life, but don't forget tennis, it's something that the princess absolutely loves.

She continued with Kate "She takes great pride in her position at the Lawn Tennis Association. Wimbledon is a solid fixture in her diary. Every year we have seen her attend with her family in the past. Even seeing her pop up at Wimbledon, I wouldn't be surprised at all because the sheer amount of her recovery depends on her being happy, because I think that's what brings her joy.

Speaking of being happy, Kate certainly made a lot of people who cared about her by watching her Saturday, as she always has, and by looking healthy, energetic and glowing. Nicole said that after trying the colors, as always, Kate "has a great pride": "I think she felt very much that she needed to be there," Nicole said. "The children seemed to have a very happy and relaxed mother. I think it was important for the Princess of Wales to be there to support her father-in-law, to be there for her family, and to be there for the country to send a really important message that she's okay.”