KATE Middleton has gone from being an all-action princess to missing dozens of her precious royal duties as she recovers.
The Princess of Wales, 42, would usually have donned a green outfit and joined the Irish Guards’ St Patrick’s Day celebrations this weekend.
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But instead, Kate, the Irish Guards’ honorary colonel, is at home resting after her planned abdominal surgery in January.
She is not set to return to the public eye until after Easter.
Lady Ghika, wife of the regiment’s Major General Sir Chris Ghika, stood in for the Princess of Wales during the parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, Hants, today.
Kate has become known as the smiling, hands-on Princess who visits children’s hospitals – but also joins rugby lineouts and army drills in the snow.
She’s had a grin ear-to-ear when she trials life vets on airfields, and high-fived scouts as she met “inspiring” youngsters.
Beaming as she took on royal tasks was something she – and Brits – quickly got used to, an expert says.
Angela Levin, a commentator and biographer of the monarchy, says she remembers when Kate seemed to struggle in front of the camera.
The expert told The Sun: “I think she has used it incredibly well from the start, when she was absolutely surrounded by cameramen and journalists shouting at her and wanting information.
“It took a while because she was with William a lot before she went on her own, and she was very, very nervous.
“The first few times she went on her own because she wasn’t used to speaking to the public, and I think you could tell that it was very difficult for her.
“She didn’t give in, she didn’t complain, and she gradually got better and better.
“And if you practice it comes to you more easily.”
Angela recalled that it didn’t take long before Kate picked up more and more royal duties – and won fans along the way.
The author said: “I think she’s absolutely a wonderful princess, and she studies what she’s going to be involved with.
“What’s very interesting is that she doesn’t have to make a huge effort.
“People can see that she’s really sincere – she’s not putting on another personage on top of herself.
“She’s just very, very herself.”
The expert recalled how well Kate did with mothers and children – and even when she’d head along to army drills, adding: “She looks very natural. She looks at ease.”
You see each generation grow up, and they’re not your family, but yet you are part of the family of people who like the monarchy.
Angela Levin
The princess has missed many royal engagements while she recovers.
Angela suggested that despite Kate likely missing the activity her role affords her, she shouldn’t be rushing into anything.
Ms Levin explained: “We’ve seen that she’s hugely interested in exercise of all sorts, and she’s very competitive with William, and that’s the sort of fun they have.
“You can see when she wins or he wins. If you’re not well, you can’t do that.”
Ms Levin said when Kate does come back, she will be warmly welcomed back by the British public.
Angela said: “I think everyone will be thrilled to bits.
“I think everyone would be happy to see her, even busybodies who expect her to tell every detail of her illness.
“I think once they see her they will feel relieved.
“The thing about the Royal Family is that they are very close to you because you see them grow up.
“You see each generation grow up, and they’re not your family, but yet you are part of the family of people who like the monarchy.”
Last year Kate and Wills were snapped enjoying pints of Guinness on St Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards.
She and William, 40, then joined celebrations in the noisy Junior Ranks dining hall.
Timeline of Royal health battles
HERE is a date-by-date rundown of the health battles to have struck the Royals this year.
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week
JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer, but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties
FEB 18: The King appears in good spirits as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham
FEB 23: The King filmed crying and chuckling while opening some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Kate Middleton pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Princess Kate speaks publicly for the first time since her surgery and shares touching photo for Mother’s Day
MARCH 11: Kate forced to apologise for editing sweet family snap before being pictured in back of car with Wills
In a speech, Will’s told guardsmen that being their Colonel had been “one of the great honours of my life”.
The year prior the pair joined the Irish Guard’s St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Kate celebrated the first full parade since the start of the pandemic in a gorgeous £3,200 Laura Green London dress with emerald accessories.
She and Prince William visited the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mons Barracks in Aldershot.
The couple have presented the traditional sprigs of shamrock to the Officers and Guardsmen.
Kate will also present the battalions mascot – an Irish Wolfhound, named Turlough Mor – with his own sprig of shamrock.
The custom of presenting shamrocks began in 1901, and was usually carried out by the Queen Mother.
In recent years Princess Anne had taken on the job – but since 2012 Kate took over.
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