On July 8, 2025, Catherine, Princess of Wales, receives the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and Mme Brigitte Macron. They started off their week at Windsor Castle for a ceremonial event. The visit was to be the first of three days of state visit in Britain by the French presidential couple. Catherine, along with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the rest of the royal family welcomed their most honored guests. She was joined there by Prince William, the newly created Prince of Wales.
This high-profile appearance follows a difficult year for Catherine. In March 2024, she made an audacious move—she went public with her cancer diagnosis. After that, she spent most of the year fighting her treatment and remaining out of public view. After completing chemotherapy, she announced in January 2025 that she was in remission. She has been easing herself back into public engagements over the past several months. She wouldn’t see big political spectacles such as the Royal Ascot horse races in June 2025.
At her ceremonial welcome, Catherine’s Royal Highness used the moment to highlight her strength, and sartorial prowess. She stepped out in a deep blue Dior frock embellished with an embroidered flower design and complemented by a matching Jess Collett hat. To honor that royal legacy, she wore earrings that previously belonged to the late Princess Diana. Clasped around her neck, she displayed a remarkable pearl necklace from the collection of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Earlier this year, Catherine held discussions with patients and staff at Colchester Hospital. As she participated in these discussions, she thought back to her own cancer treatment. She referenced it as a “roller coaster,” describing the emotional and physical toll one must endure while recovering, dios mío!
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism, through treatment,” said Catherine. “Treatment’s done, and it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal again,’ but actually, that phase afterwards is a really difficult time.” – Catherine, Princess of Wales
Catherine’s reintroduction to the public eye has been rewarded with compassion and grace from the public, as well as from her fellow royals. Her attendance at the ceremonial welcome is yet another display of her immense commitment to her royal duties. It emphasizes her personal struggle to heal and regain a sense of normalcy.
