Kate Middleton’s changed perspective: How the Princess’s gentle return to public life is marked by doing things she loves – like watching ballet

Earlier this month, the Princess of Wales reflected on how her cancer journey has given her a ‘new perspective on everything’ – and it would appear she’s focusing on what she loves as she makes her gentle comeback to public life.

Last night, Kate Middleton, 42 – a known fan of the ballet – appeared to be in the audience for a performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle at Sadler’s Wells theatre in London.

Taking to X to share a photo of the performance, the royal mother-of-three wrote: ‘Congratulations and thank you to [English National Ballet] and [Sadler’s Wells’ for the wonderfully powerful, moving and inspiring performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle. Creativity at its best!’ 

The Princess, who recently remarked that her health struggles have ‘above all reminded William and her to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted’, has long enjoyed dance performances.

She has been spotted in the audience at performances such as The Nutcracker over the years; both alone and with her daughter.

Elsewhere, Kate has also revealed that her daughter Charlotte also enjoys dance – tap and ballet in particular.

Vanity Fair had even dubbed the royal ‘The Queen of Dance’ last year, after a social media video compilation of her dance moments – which included her showing off her moves during a trip to Belize, as well as a waltz with Paddington Bear.

The royal is also a known ‘huge fan’ of Strictly Come Dancing, as revealed by Prince William in a Telegraph interview in 2019.

The same year, she was treated to a private performance of the romantic ballet The Two Pigeons during a visit to the Royal Opera House in London.

Kate, who plays the piano, is also known to be a big fan of musical performances, especially shown by her annual carol services.

Speaking to People, a royal source revealed: ‘Music was very important to the [then] Duchess during the lockdowns. She also recognizes the powerful way in which music brings people together — especially during difficult times.’

Yesterday’s ballet visit appears to signal that Kate is prioritising causes and events near and dear to her heart in her recovery.

After the Princess was spotted at Crathie Kirk Church in Balmoral last weekend, the Mail revealed she and Prince William enjoyed a child-free getaway to the Royal Family‘s estate in Scotland while Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis remained in Berkshire. 

Last night, Kate Middleton , 42 – a known fan of the ballet – appeared to be in the audience for a performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle at Sadler’s Wells theatre in London  

Taking to X to share a photo of the performance, the royal mother-of-three wrote: ‘Congratulations and thank you to [English National Ballet] and [Sadler’s Wells’ for the wonderfully powerful, moving and inspiring performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle. Creativity at its best!’

This brief appearance came less than a week after the Princess of Wales hosted her first work meeting in over nine months, which marked the start of her slow and measured return to public duties. 

Last Tuesday, the royal held a meeting at Windsor Castle with those involved in her ‘Early Years’ project, which delves into the crucial role the first few years of a person’s life plays in the adults they become. 

Earlier this month, the future Queen revealed she has completed chemotherapy and is now ‘focused on staying cancer-free’ as she released a touching new video of William and their three children. 

In the family video, the Princess told viewers that her cancer experience has taught her to appreciate the ‘simple yet important things in life […] of simply loving and being loved’. 

The royal then went on to briefly outline her plan to return to royal duties – acknowledging that she does not want to rush back into things. 

The royal is also a known ‘huge fan’ of Strictly Come Dancing, as revealed by Prince William in a Telegraph interview in 2019. The same year, she was treated to a private performance of the romantic ballet The Two Pigeons during a visit to the Royal Opera House in London 

Pictured: Kate, in 2019, watching Royal Ballet dancer during her visit to the Royal Opera House in London

She continued: ‘Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. 

‘I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. 

Before this, Kate made a fleeting appearance in an Instagram video to congratulate Team GB on their Olympics effort, which was posted on their official page.

In the short clip, Kate said: ‘From all of us watching at home congratulations to Team GB.’ 

The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB top, then briefly added: ‘Well done to Team GB you’ve been an inspiration to us all.’

Just weeks after King Charles announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer, his daughter-in-law revealed in an emotional message in March that she was also receiving treatment for the disease. 

Since then, the mother-of-three has only been seen in public a handful of times – including Trooping the Colour and the Wimbledon’s men’s singles final.

A beaming Princess of Wales has sent a heartfelt message to British Olympians ahead of the end of the Paris Olympics , which will be formally closed last month

Before appearing at Trooping the Colour in June, the royal released a statement saying that she hoped to attend the occasional engagement over the summer but urged the public to bear with her as, like many cancer patients, she has ‘good and bad days’. 

After spending much of the year coming to terms with the diagnosis and receiving ongoing chemotherapy, Kate relaxed as she smiled and waved to the delighted crowds – making a triumphant comeback to public life in a carriage procession for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Ahead of the Wimbledon’s men’s singles finals in July, officials had remained ‘hopeful’ that Kate may feel well enough to hand out trophies.

Thankfully, their hope proved to be right and in her role as patron of the All England Club, which hosts the annual tournament, the royal handed Alcaraz the champion’s trophy after the Wimbledon men’s final.

After leaving the court following the trophy ceremony, the princess and Alcaraz had a conversation in a room inside the tournament’s main stadium. ‘You played so well,’ Kate told him. ‘Enjoy the win.’

Earlier, Kate went from the stands down to the playing surface to present the trophies, and shook hands with some of the ball kids who worked at the tournament.

Although future public engagements have yet to be announced, the Princess does reportedly hope to attend Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.

However, she will not accompany her husband to his Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town in November.