Kate Middleton's return to public life shut down with five-word remark amid cancer treatment

An insider has swiftly put to bed any rumours about Kate Middleton's return to her official engagements with a succinct five-word statement.

Following an extended absence, Kate has only been seen publicly on two occasions since the start of the new year; she was spotted at this year's Trooping the Colour in June with her young family and, later, at the Wimbledon men's final with Princess Charlotte in July.

Behind the scenes, the 42-year-old has been privately battling cancer and stepping back from the limelight to focus on her treatment, apart from those rare appearances.

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In a conversation with the Daily Mail about when we might expect to see Kate resume her public role, a source close to the situation said simply: "We are not there yet."

The same insider remarked: "When we last heard from her ahead of Trooping the Colour, she said her treatment was going on into the summer and that's what's happening."

The informant shared what many have suspected: "It's been a rough, rough time, a really difficult year for the entire family. And as she herself said, she is not out of the woods yet."

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On a hopeful note, they added: "The direction is positive [but] there will not be great change [in terms of her public profile] after Sunday night and no one is giving a timescale for her return."

Before her appearance in June, another high-ranking Royal indicated earlier that Kate "will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors", but refrained from setting any definite date for her comeback.

Back in March, an insider told Harper's Bazaar: "She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery."

When she first confirmed her cancer diagnosis, Kate opened up about its impact on her children - George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six.

She expressed: "This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment."

"But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok. As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits."

Officials highlighted at the time that her appearance at Trooping the Colour was not a signal that she was returning to full Royal engagements.

Kensington Palace has yet to comment.