Princess Kate has returned to royal duties with a private meeting at Windsor Castle on June 25, marking her first work engagement since her notable absence from Royal Ascot last week.
Kate and Prince William received American billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates at the castle, according to The Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements.
The meeting, which took place near the couple’s Adelaide Cottage home on the Windsor estate, was conducted on behalf of The Royal Foundation. This charitable organisation serves as the vehicle for William and Kate’s philanthropic work.
French Gates, 60, is the founder of Pivotal Ventures and co-founder of the Gates Foundation, organisations focused on accelerating social progress and fighting global poverty, disease and inequity.
Princess Kate returns to Windsor Castle for the first time since her sudden withdrawal.
Getty
The Royal Foundation serves as the umbrella organisation for the Prince and Princess of Wales’s charitable endeavours, particularly in the areas of early childhood development and mental health.
Whilst specific details of the discussions were not disclosed, the meeting represented a significant moment in Princess Kate’s gradual return to official duties.
The engagement was recorded in The Court Circular, confirming its official status as a formal royal working meeting.
Princess Kate’s absence from Royal Ascot on June 18 sparked considerable speculation after her name appeared and then disappeared from the day’s carriage procession list.
Melinda Gates pictured at Wimbledon back in 2022.
PA
The princess was initially included in the official listing alongside Prince William for the second day of the racing event, but her name was removed approximately 20 minutes after publication.
GB News understands that Royal Ascot mistakenly released an inaccurate carriage listing, leading to the confusion.
Prince William attended the event without his wife, joining King Charles and Queen Camilla for the traditional carriage procession.
The princess was reportedly disappointed to miss the prestigious racing event, a highlight of the royal family’s summer calendar.
Princess Kate is taking a measured approach to resuming public duties following her cancer treatment last year.
“She’s being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life,” Queen Elizabeth’s former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson told People Magazine.
The princess is reportedly focused on finding the right balance as she gradually increases her workload. Her most recent public appearance was at the Garter Day Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on June 16.
This followed her attendance at Trooping the Colour on June 14, where she appeared alongside Prince William and their three children.