Catherine Middleton made her highly anticipated return to the public eye after completing chemotherapy. The 42-year-old royal was spotted attending a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk Church, located near Balmoral Castle in Scotland, which earned mixed reactions from observers.

Accompanied by her husband, Prince William, Catherine was seen sitting in the passenger seat of their car. She offered a brief but warm smile as William dutifully drove them to the service. Dressed in her signature style, the beloved Princess of Wales looked beautiful in a dark brown Suffolk fedora decorated with feathers.

Her chic brown tartan checked coat made a graceful yet understated entrance. William, equally polished, opted for a sharp dark suit for the occasion. Also in attendance were King Charles and Queen Camilla, arriving separately in their own vehicles.

As news of Catherine’s public appearance spread, social media was flooded with reactions. Some users were perplexed. “Doesn’t look like her,” one user skeptically posted. Another chimed in, “Doesn’t look like Kate,” followed by a third writing, “Doesn’t even look like.”

Someone else recalled seeing her at Wimbledon not long ago, confidently noting, “She look very well at the Tennis a few weeks ago!! [sic]” Amidst the skepticism, Catherine received a flood of positive messages. One fan applauded her for making time for her faith, writing, “I love that she is going to church and she is thinking at her soul too.”

Another admirer praised her resilience, “Strength and grace in every step.” And heartfelt encouragement flowed, with one user penning, “Good on you Kate, happy for beautiful soul [sic].” Comments of joy and relief continued, “I’m so happy for her,” and “I’m happy that she is feeling better.” Despite the mixed reactions, Catherine’s strength has clearly inspired many.

Following her recent return to public life, the Princess of Wales has wasted no time in resuming her royal duties and getting back to what she’s passionate about—early childhood development.

Her first public engagement, which appeared in the Court Circular, was a meeting at Windsor Castle. The entry, published by The Telegraph, stated, “The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this afternoon held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor Castle.”

She was joined by her dedicated team from the Centre for Early Childhood and Kensington Palace staff, discussing the project closest to her heart.

It’s a quiet but powerful step as she eases back into her role with “a handful” of engagements over the coming months. This marks the first official record of her activities this year since stepping back from public life to undergo major abdominal surgery and cancer treatment.

The princess’ renewed strength comes just weeks after she shared an emotional video with Prince William and their children by her side, breaking her silence about her health challenges.

In a heartfelt message to the public, she revealed the uplifting news that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, closing the chapter on a grueling nine-month ordeal. Her courage and vulnerability have only deepened the admiration she inspires.

In a deeply personal statement, Catherine expressed how “life can change in an instant,” and how her family has navigated the “stormy waters” of her cancer journey together. She acknowledged the complexities of battling cancer, describing it as “scary and unpredictable for everyone,” but also highlighted the strength it has brought her.

Reflecting on her journey, the Princess opened up about the emotional toll and new perspectives gained, stating, “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before.”

She shared how the experience has reminded her and Prince William to cherish the simple yet important things in life, such as, “simply loving and being loved.” Looking forward, Catherine is hopeful about the future but aware of the ongoing path to recovery. She assured the public that while she has finished chemotherapy, her focus now is on staying cancer-free.

She also expressed gratitude for the support from loved ones, stating that everyone’s “kindness, empathy, and compassion” have been truly humbling.

Wishing Princess Catherine a swift and complete recovery, surrounded by the love and support of Prince William and their children. May her family find strength and comfort together during this time.