Prince William Announces Solo Mission as Kate Middleton Slowly Returns to Duties

Prince William recently announced a solo visit to Estonia as he steps further into his role as a global statesman. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton is making a slow but steady return to royal duties, recently marking a poignant comeback at the Commonwealth Day service after her battle with cancer.

Prince William Announces He Will Meet British Soldiers in Estonia Without Kate Middleton

The Prince of Wales will be heading to Estonia without his wife as he meets with British troops who are currently buffering Russian aggression in the region. He will be traveling in his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment to understand more about how British troops are powering NATO’s eastern flank.

The visit comes at a crucial time for the war between Ukraine and Russia, as the United States prepares to present a 30-day cease-fire to Russia. According to the BBC, the trip is seen as Prince William stepping into the role of a global statesman. Royal sources describe the trip as very serious, as he is showing up in support of the leadership in the U.K. and the troops stationed close to Russia.

Those who work closely with the Prince of Wales believe he is getting more comfortable in the world of soft diplomacy. They cite his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Paris and his role representing the U.K. with other global leaders to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day last June.

While in Estonia, Prince William will also meet with Ukrainian families who have been displaced due to the ongoing war. 

The Princess of Wales Continues to Slowly Return to Royal Duties

After skipping the event in 2024 as she battled cancer, Princess Catherine joined the rest of the royal family at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 10. 

To celebrate the occasion, the Princess of Wales wore a red coat dress by Catherine Walker, which she paired with Queen Elizabeth’s four-strand pearl and diamond choker, InStyle reported.

As they walked into the Abbey—which also hosted their 2011 wedding—body language expert Judi James told The Mirror that William’s demeanor revealed he still has a “bashful crush” on his wife.

In 2024, she didn’t attend because people initially believed she was recovering from abdominal surgery, but later, she revealed she was battling cancer. Due to her diagnosis, Kate spent the bulk of 2024 out of the public eye. However, at the beginning of the year, she revealed that she was in remission. 

“I remain focused,” Middleton wrote on social media. “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.” She went on to say that she is looking forward to a “fulfilling year” and that there is “much to look forward to.”

Tell us! What do you think of Prince William going to Estonia alone? Are you excited to see more of Kate Middleton? Let us know in the comments below.